AstraZeneca announced the submission of a EU regulatory application for the new asthma treatment concept Symbicort Single inhaler Therapy (SiT). Symbicort SiT is the management of persistent asthma with a single inhaler, Symbicort Turbuhaler. This new treatment concept is a further development of Symbicort adjustable maintenance dosing, which has already shown overall better asthma control than treatment with a higher average fixed maintenance dose. Symbicort SiT, once approved, will make asthma treatment more effective and simpler for both the physician and the patient.

"Asthma is a variable disease, where patients experience periods of good control, but also periods of worsenings, which can develop into acute events. The Symbicort SiT treatment concept will provide one single inhaler for all situations; for baseline therapy, for increasing the dose during worsenings as well as for acute situations. A separate reliever or rescue bronchodilator will no longer be needed," said Dr Anders Ekblom, vice president, AstraZeneca. "This new treatment concept is focused on the individual needs of each person with asthma treated with Symbicort and is very easy to follow."

Symbicort is the only combination treatment that allows patients to adjust their dose with the same single inhaler. The prescriber currently has the discretion to advise the patient on which type of Symbicort therapy would be suitable for the individual and how to adjust the dose of Symbicort within the approved dosing range. This adjustable treatment concept is expanded with Symbicort SiT. With Symbicort SiT, patients take a regular daily dose of Symbicort, can take additional inhalations when needed to improve control and can now also use the same inhaler to provide acute relief instead of using the traditional fast-acting bronchodilator. Thus patients do not require a separate rescue bronchodilator with Symbicort SiT.

The current worldwide market for fixed combination asthma products is estimated to be worth $3.5 billion. To date, Symbicort is launched in 62 markets and approved in more than 80 countries.

AstraZeneca is a major international healthcare business engaged in the research, development, manufacture and marketing of prescription pharmaceuticals and the supply of healthcare services.