GSK Starts Phase IIb LABA Trial

GlaxoSmithKline has enrolled the first patient in a Phase IIb clinical program with Theravance‘s compound 642444 (‘444), an investigational long-acting beta2 agonist (LABA), in patients with mild to moderate asthma. The collaboration now has two compounds in this phase of development in the Beyond Advair collaboration: ‘444, a GSK-discovered compound, and 159797 (‘797), a Theravance-discovered compound. The goal of this collaboration is to develop a once-a-day inhaled combination medicine comprised of a LABA and a corticosteroid for the treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

“We are pleased with the continued progress of the Beyond Advair clinical program,” said Michael Kitt, M.D., senior vice president, Development at Theravance. “The movement of a second compound into the Phase II program is a direct result of the commitment that both Theravance and GSK have to improving the treatment options in this important therapeutic area.”