Boehringer Ingelheim files for expanded EU indication for Respimat

German independent drug major Boehringer Ingelheim has submitted an applications to extend the indication for the use of tiotropium (Spiriva) Respimat to the treatment of asthma in adults aged 18 years and over in the European Union.

Tiotropium is already approved for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), with comprehensive clinical trial data from more than 190 tiotropium COPD trials. Spiriva is Boehringer’s best-selling drug, generating first-half 2013 sales of 1.83 billion euros ($2.44 billion) for the company.

"Our extensive studies have demonstrated that tiotropium Respimat has the potential to be an effective new treatment option which can provide benefits to, and improve outcomes for, adult patients with asthma. Furthermore, we look forward to results from the pediatric UniTinA-asthma Phase III studies which are anticipated to become available in 2014," said Klaus Dugi, corporate senior vice president medicine, at Boehringer Ingelheim.