Spiolto Respimat significantly improves exercise capacity in people with COPD, new data show

The first results from the Phase III PHYSACTO trial that shows Spiolto (tiotropium+olodaterol) Respimat, combined with exercise training, helps people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) walk for longer periods of time compared to those receiving placebo, were presented at the European Respiratory Society (ERS) International Congress 2016 in London by German family-owned pharma major Boehringer Ingelheim.

All participants of the trial were enrolled in a self-management behavior modification program, which provided health education and skills to help them better manage their disease.

After eight weeks, in the tiotropium+olodaterol Respimat combined with exercise training arm, exercise capacity in people with moderate to severe COPD significantly increased by 45.8% (p<0.001) compared to those receiving placebo with no exercise training (356 versus 244 seconds respectively). The drug was approved in the USA in May 2015 and in Europe in July 2015.