GSK and Actelion pulmonary products and Gilead's Sovaldi approved in Japan

GlaxoSmithKline (LSE: GSK), Actelion (SIX: ATLN) and Gilead (Nasdaq: GILD) have all obtained new product approvals in Japan.

UK pharma major GSK has received Japanese approval for Encruse Ellipta (umeclidinium) for the relief of various symptoms due to airway obstruction with COPD. Encruse, a once-daily long-acting muscarining antagonist, is a 62.5mcg strength inhalation powder delivered in the Ellipta inhaler.

Darrell Baker, senior vice president and head of GSK’s global respiratory franchise, said: “We are proud of this approval for Encruse Ellipta as it means health care professionals in Japan will have another treatment option for appropriate COPD patients. Encruse is our first LAMA monotherapy and the second treatment from our new COPD portfolio to be approved in Japan within the last year. The Ellipta inhaler has been positively received by physicians in Japan and today’s approval reflects our goal of providing a range of respiratory medicines in a consistent inhaler that enables physicians to meet the specific needs of individual patients.”