GSK initiates triple therapy Phase III trial for COPD

GlaxoSmithKline plc and Theravance, Inc. announced the start of a global phase III study, known as IMPACT, to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the �closed� triple combination of FF/UMEC/VI in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). IMPACT is the first pivotal phase III study in a programme to evaluate a once-daily closed triple combination treatment of an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS); a long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA); and a long-acting beta2-adrenergic agonist (LABA) in patients with COPD.

The IMPACT study will enrol approximately 10,000 patients and assess whether the combination of FF (fluticasone furoate, an ICS), UMEC (umeclidinium, a LAMA) and VI (vilanterol, a LABA), all delivered in GSK�s Ellipta inhaler, can reduce the annual rate of moderate and severe exacerbations compared with two approved once daily COPD treatments, Relvar/Breo Ellipta (FF/VI), which is an ICS/LABA combination, and Anoro Ellipta (UMEC/VI), which is a LAMA/LABA combination.