The European Commission has granted marketing authorisation for GlaxoSmithKline's Incruse (umeclidinium) as a once-daily, maintenance bronchodilator treatment to relieve symptoms in adult patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Now licensed across all EU member states, Incruse is a once-daily long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA), a type of bronchodilator also known as an anticholinergic. Incruse is a 55mcg strength inhalation powder delivered by the Ellipta inhaler.

Darrell Baker, SVP & Head, GSK Global Respiratory Franchise, said, “COPD affects millions of people in Europe and for many years we have been committed to researching and improving understanding of it. We are delighted by today’s marketing authorisation for Incruse Ellipta, our first LAMA, which will provide healthcare professionals with a further treatment option for appropriate COPD patients. This is in line with our goal to develop a range of respiratory medicines that allow physicians to make treatment choices based on their individual patients’ needs.”

It is expected that the first launches will have taken place in Europe by the end of 2014.

The EMA assessment of umeclidinium included a review of seven phase III clinical trials which included over 2,500 COPD patients treated with umeclidinium or placebo. Within this, 576 patients received the recommended dose of umeclidinium 55mcg once-daily.

COPD is a disease of the lungs that includes chronic bronchitis, emphysema or both. COPD is characterised by obstruction to airflow that interferes with normal breathing. COPD is thought to affect 4-10% of the adult population in Europe.

Long-term exposure to lung irritants that damage the lungs and the airways are usually the cause of COPD. Cigarette smoke, breathing in second hand smoke, air pollution, chemical fumes or dust from the environment or workplace can all contribute to COPD. Most people who have COPD are at least 40 years old when symptoms begin.