GSK gains EU marketing OK for Incruse for COPD; initiates tafenoquine Ph III program

UK pharma giant GlaxoSmithKline (LSE: GSK) has received marketing authorization from the European Commission for Incruse (umeclidinium) as a once-daily, maintenance bronchodilator treatment to relieve symptoms in adult patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Now licensed across all European Union member states, Incruse is a once-daily long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA), a type of bronchodilator also known as an anticholinergic. Incruse is a 55mcg strength inhalation powder delivered by the Ellipta inhaler. It is expected that the first launches will have taken place in Europe by the end of 2014.

Darrell Baker, senior vice president and head of GSK Global Respiratory Franchise, said: “COPD affects millions of people in Europe and for many years we have been committed to researching and improving understanding of it. We are delighted by today’s marketing authorization for Incruse Ellipta, our first LAMA, which will provide health care professionals with a further treatment option for appropriate COPD patients. This is in line with our goal to develop a range of respiratory medicines that allow physicians to make treatment choices based on their individual patients’ needs.”