The New England Journal of Medicine has published results from a pioneering Salford Lung Study carried out by GlaxoSmithKline Plc (NYSE:GSK) and its US partner Inovio Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ:INO). First reported in May, the study evaluated the effectiveness and safety of candidate drug Ellipta in patients struggling with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
SLS Study Results
Positive results from the study have already been presented to the European Respiratory Society International Congress as the pair eyes regulatory approval. Clinical results indicate that patients who received Relvar Ellipta 100/25mg experienced an 8.4% reduction in moderate and severe exacerbation compared to patients on standard of care.
Patients on SOC in the study were taking an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) containing an 88% regimen. No difference was observed on FF/VI and standard of care on secondary outcomes. The COPD assessment of CAT, on the other hand, showed that 45% of the patients had successfully reduced their CAT score by two compared to 36% on usual care.
GlaxoSmithKline Global Medical Head, Neil Barnes, said the SLS study results provide much-needed information that will help healthcare professionals understand how COPD treatment can influence patient outcomes. Analyzing data from the study is the next step according to the executive as one of the ways of learning more about SLS.
The British Group carried out the study in collaboration with North West e-Health, The University of Manchester, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust and University Hospital of South Manchester (UHSM). Trials for a second SLS study are already underway in patients with asthma. Results on the same should be out some time next year.
Bexsero Vaccine Positive Results
Separately, GlaxoSmithKline has reported positive results on an ongoing national meningitis B immunization program using the Bexsero vaccine. Data from the study showed an 83% estimated effectiveness of the vaccine on Meningitis B and 94% against vaccine-preventable strains.
Over the ten months of the program, reported cases of the disease dropped by half on those administered the vaccine. GlaxoSmithKline chief medical officer Thomas Breuer believes the positive study results prove that the vaccine can be used to protect children from the life-threatening medical condition.
