First global approval and only triple-combination therapy in a pressurised metered-dose inhaler device in Japan
AstraZeneca today announced that Breztri Aerosphere (budesonide/glycopyrronium/ formoterol fumarate), formerly PT010, has been approved in Japan as a triple-combination therapy to relieve symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
This is the first global regulatory approval for Breztri Aerosphere and is the first approval by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare for a triple-combination therapy in a pressurised metered-dose inhaler (pMDI), which uses the innovative Aerosphere delivery technology.
The approval was based on positive results from the Phase III KRONOS trial in which Breztri Aerosphere demonstrated a statistically-significant improvement in trough forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), the primary endpoint for Japan, compared with the dual comparators Bevespi Aerosphere (glycopyrronium/formoterol fumarate) and PT009 (budesonide/formoterol fumarate).
Mene Pangalos, Executive Vice President, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, said: “Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease affects more than five million people in Japan, and Breztri Aerosphere offers these patients a new, powerful triple-combination therapy in a pressurised metered-dose inhaler. This first approval of Breztri Aerosphere is a significant step towards providing a new treatment choice to people living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease globally.”
Klaus Rabe, Professor of Pulmonary Medicine at the University of Kiel, Director of the Department of Pneumology at Clinic Grosshansdorf, Germany, and National Co-ordinating Investigator of the KRONOS trial, said: “The KRONOS trial demonstrated that Breztri Aerosphere provides rapid and sustained, clinically-relevant lung function improvements in patients with moderate to very severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Triple-combination therapy is an increasingly important treatment option and will play a central role in helping patients manage their disease.”
Data from the Phase III KRONOS trial has previously been published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine.
The Chinese National Medical Products Administration has granted a priority review to Breztri Aerosphere, with an expected regulatory decision in the second half of 2019. The medicine is also under regulatory review in the US and EU with anticipated regulatory decisions in 2020.