Novartis Healthcare Private Ltd (NHPL) has launched Sequadra iInhaler (indacaterol/glycopyrronium) 110mcg/50mcg, a fixed dose combination (FDC) of two bronchodilating active ingredients, indacaterol maleate, a long-acting beta2-adrenergic agonist (LABA) and glycopyrronium bromide, a long-acting anticholinergic (LAMA), for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
“NHPL is working hard to optimize this important treatment to Indian patients in a timely way”, said Jawed Zia, country president, Novartis India. “Once daily indacaterol/glycopyrronium combination reduces risk of annual rate of exacerbations by 31% compared to the current standard of care (twice-daily salmeterol + fluticasone combination) in patients with moderate-to-severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease”
Addressing the media, Prof Claus Vogelmeier, Professor of Medicine and Head of Pulmonary Division, Marburg University Hospital, Germany said, “Indacaterol/Glycopyrronium combination will offer these patients a much greater improvement in lung function and health related quality of life. This new therapy will change the management of COPD to the benefit of patients”.
This was reinforced by Dr Ashok Mahashur, Consultant Chest Physician, P.D. Hinduja National Hospital and Medical Research Centre Mumbai, who stated, “Good to know that combination of indacaterol/glycopyrronium has been launched in India. Based on robust clinical data I feel this combination will be an effective bronchodilator and would reduce exacerbations in COPD patients”.
Indacaterol/glycopyrronium combination was developed for the treatment of COPD for patients in whom treatment with a single long acting bronchodilator (LABA or LAMA) does not provide an adequate control of respiratory symptoms. Indacaterol/glycopyrronium combination has demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in lung function at 2 hours post-dose at Week 26.
Sequadra inhaler, is a once-daily dual bronchodilator approved as a maintenance bronchodilator treatment to relieve symptoms in adult patients with COPD. Clinical trials have shown that it offers statistically significant improvements in bronchodilation compared to treatments widely used as current standards of care, including SFC 50/500 mcg and open-label tiotropium (18 mcg). India has been part of the global clinical development studies – CQVA149A2303 (n=167), CQVA149A2304 (n=147) and CQVA149A2307 (n=43) of QVA 149. A total of 357 Indian patients were randomized in the aforementioned global studies. Overall, the safety profile and efficacy results in the Indian sub-population were consistent with the global population. At present there are 191 patients from India in the two ongoing studies. Indacaterol/glycopyrronium combination is currently approved for use in over 76 countries, including countries within the EU, Japan, Canada, countries within Latin America and Australia.
NHPLis committed to addressing the needs of COPD patients and improving their quality of life by providing innovative medicines and devices. NHPL’s COPD portfolio includes indacaterol/glycopyrronium combination and onbrez breezhaler (indacaterol) which are all indicated as maintenance treatments for COPD patients.
Globally, Novartis continues development of respiratory products for delivery via the low resistance breezhaler inhalation device, which makes it suitable for patients with different severities of airflow limitation. The breezhaler device allows patients to hear, feel and see that they have taken the full dose correctly.
COPD is a progressive illness that includes the conditions emphysema and chronic bronchitis. COPD makes it difficult to breathe, with symptoms that have a destructive impact on patients’ fitness (i.e. activity limitation, decreased mobility) and quality of life. Whilst the symptoms of COPD can be experienced throughout the day, the morning is the most difficult time for patients, who find that their daily routines such as showering and getting ready are significantly slowed down due to COPD symptoms. COPD is often considered to be a disease of later years, but estimates suggest that 50% of those with COPD are below the age of 65, resulting in increases in absenteeism, premature retirement and reductions in workforce participation.