Expanded approval for Spiriva Respimat

Family-owned German pharma major Boehringer Ingelheim today announced an expanded UK indication for Spiriva (tiotropium) Respimat as add-on maintenance bronchodilator treatment in patients aged six years and older with severe asthma who experienced one or more severe asthma exacerbations in the past year, following the European Union regulatory acceptance in March 2018.

The US Food and Drug Administration expanded use of Spiriva Respimat to this younger patient population in February 2017. Spiriva, Boehringer’s biggest selling product, generated revenues of 2.8 billion euros ($3.3 billion), down 3.9% year-on-year.

“Asthma is one of the most common long-term illnesses in childhood and yet there are relatively few treatments which have been proven to be of benefit in young patients,” commented Professor David Halpin, Consultant Physician at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, adding: “I welcome this expanded indication for Spiriva Respimat, which is based upon robust clinical trial evidence, and which recognises the efficacy and safety of tiotropium maintenance therapy in patients as young as six years old as well as adults.”