News

UK’s National Health Service Approves Daxas as Treatment for COPD

The United Kingdom’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recently approved Daxas (roflumilast), developed by AstraZeneca, as a treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The new indication could potentially benefit about 122,000 adults in the U.K. who are estimated to be eligible to receive Daxas, according…

Pulmatrix Licenses RespiVert’s Kinase Inhibitor Therapies for COPD and Other Lung Diseases

The lung therapy developer Pulmatrix has obtained global rights to RespiVert’s respiratory-disease treatments under a licensing arrangement. Under the deal, Pulmatrix gained access to the kinase inhibitors that RespiVert has developed for lung conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Pumatrix also develops kinase inhibitors. RespiVert is a subsidiary of Janssen…

Verona Pharma Announces New Clinical Trial for Inhaled Lung Therapy RPL554

Verona Pharma, a biopharmaceutical company developing therapeutics for the treatment of respiratory diseases, recently announced the initiation of a clinical trial in the United States for its product RPL554. The drug is currently in development for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cystic fibrosis (CF). Announcement of the clinical trial follows the…

Sunovion Receives FDA Letter Advancing Regulatory Status of SUN-101/eFlow Therapy to Treat COPD

Sunovion Pharmaceuticals has received a complete response letter from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), clearing the Massachusetts company from having to conduct further clinical trials for approval of its SUN-101/eFlow (glycopyrrolate) therapy to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). According to a corporate press release, the CRL clears Sunovion…

Philips Acquires Airway Clearance Device Maker RespirTech and Expands COPD Therapeutic Portfolio

Dutch healthcare conglomerate Royal Philips has purchased RespirTech, a leading manufacturer of airway clearance therapy vests for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other severe lung conditions. With this new acquisition, Philips expands its respiratory care portfolio, strengthening its presence in the hospital and home care markets —  especially…

Philips-sponsored Study Supports Use of Home Noninvasive Ventilation for COPD Treatment

A recent study, co-sponsored by Royal Philips, showed that using home noninvasive ventilation in addition to home oxygen therapy (HOT) could effectively delay hospital readmissions and increase survival in patients with advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) after a life-threatening respiratory event or exacerbation. The study, “Effect of Home Noninvasive…