Novartis fights back in COPD with publication of Ultibro Breezhaler data

The chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) space is shaping up to become one of pharma’s biggest battle grounds in the next few years as some of the industry’s biggest players compete for dominance.

One of them, Novartis (NOVN: VX), currently has a firm foothold in the market with its Ultibro Breezhaler (indacaterol/glycopyrronium bromide), a treatment developed with UK inhaled therapies developer Vectura Group (LSE: VEC), but executives at the Swiss pharma giant will be aware of the progress being made with triple-combination therapies.

Family-owned Italian drugmaker Chiesi Farmaceutici has  presented data showing the superiority of its triple therapy to Ultibro Breezheler and other companies, including the UK-based firms AstraZeneca (LSE: AZN) and  GlaxoSmithKline (LSE: AZN), also have strong evidence supporting their own triple combinations.