Almirall COPD drug shows efficacy in new study

Almirall's chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treatment aclidinium has demonstrated its efficacy in a new phase III clinical study.

The European Respiratory Journal has published full results from the Attain trial, a six-month double-blind placebo-controlled pivotal study that assessed two separate dosage strengths of inhaled aclidinium bromide.

It was found that Almirall's treatment was able to deliver significant improvements in terms of bronchodilation, symptoms and health status, while also reducing the rate of exacerbations of any severity compared with placebo.

Data from this study will be used to support regulatory approvals of the drug in Europe and the US, with responses from the relevant regulators expected later this year.

Professor Paul Jones of the St George's medical school at the University of London said: "The findings of Attain are very encouraging and we would expect that improvements seen in health status and symptoms within the trial will translate into noticeable benefits for patients in everyday practice."

Earlier this month, the company provided grants to a pair of scientists from Germany and Spain, in order to support their innovative research into multiple sclerosis.