Novartis Healthcare Private Limited (NHPL) announced today the launch of Sequadra Inhaler (indacaterol/glycopyrronium) 110mcg/50mcg, a fixed dose combination (FDC) of two bronchodilating active ingredients, indacaterol maleate, a long-acting beta2-adrenergic agonist (LABA) and glycopyrronium bromide, a long-acting anticholinergic (LAMA), for the treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
"NHPL is working hard to optimize this important treatment to Indian patients in a timely way", said Jawed Zia, Country President, Novartis India. "Once daily indacaterol/glycopyrronium combination reduces risk of annual rate of exacerbations by 31% compared to the current standard of care (twice-daily salmeterol + fluticasone combination) in patients with moderate-to-severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease".
Addressing the media, Prof Claus Vogelmeier, Professor of Medicine and Head of Pulmonary Division, Marburg University Hospital, Germany said, "Indacaterol/Glycopyrronium combination will offer these patients a much greater improvement in lung function and health related quality of life. This new therapy will change the management of COPD to the benefit of patients".
Indacaterol/glycopyrronium combination was developed for the treatment of COPD for patients in whom treatment with a single long acting bronchodilator (LABA or LAMA) does not provide an adequate control of respiratory symptoms. Indacaterol/glycopyrronium combination has demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in lung function at 2 hours post-dose at Week 26.
