Spiriva Respimat OKed for COPD in Europe

German drug major Boehringer Ingelheim and world pharmaceutical giant Pfizer have completed the approval process for authorization to market their co-developed Respimat Soft Mist inhaler in conjunction with the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease drug Spiriva (tiotropium bromide) in the European Union for people with COPD.

"Spiriva Respimat represents a major step forward in COPD and inhalation therapy. Many patients find certain inhaler devices difficult to coordinate and use," said Marc Decramer, Respiratory Division of the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium. "Spiriva Respimat has a unique and sophisticated delivery system, and a user-friendly design, making it easy to use and suitable for a broad range of patients with COPD. In addition, the long-lasting, soft mist cloud generated by Spiriva Respimat ensures optimized delivery of Spiriva to the lungs, helping patients breathe more easily," he added.

In clinical studies comparing inhaler devices, patients preferred Boehringer's product, which may help increase patient compliance with therapy, while the novel dose-delivery system of the product also means that, unlike dry-powder inhalers, the delivered dose is not dependent on patients' inspiratory flow, the firm noted, adding that its first-line maintenance therapy for COPD positively impacts the clinical course of the disease, helping to change the way patients live with their condition. The efficacy of Spiriva has been demonstrated in a clinical development program involving 25,000 patients and the agent the most prescribed brand of COPD drug in the world.