Pharmaceutical Business review

AstraZeneca files sNDA for Symbicort

The supplemental new drug application (sNDA) submission is based on results from two pivotal efficacy and safety trials with Symbicort pressurised meter dose inhaler.

Both studies were randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, multi-centre trials of patients (N=3,668) with moderate to very severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Results of the trials found Symbicort 160/4.5 (320/9mcg bid) met the pre-specified co-primary endpoints and was found to be effective and well-tolerated for up to 12 months in patients with moderate to very severe COPD.

Howard Hutchison, chief medical officer of AstraZeneca, said: “Symbicort is a combination maintenance treatment for patients with asthma that works rapidly to help improve lung function by reducing inflammation in the lining of the lung.”