Novartis Healthcare Private Limited launches Sequadra® Inhaler, an important advance in treatment of COPD; improves quality of life for COPD patients

Indacaterol/glycopyrronium is the first once-daily fixed-dose combination of both a LABA and a LAMA bronchodilator

Pivotal Phase III IGNITE data showed indacaterol/glycopyrronium combinationsignificantly improved lung function and patient-reported outcomes including breathlessness and rescue medication use, compared to current standard of care

Mumbai, August 11, 2015: Novartis Healthcare Private Limited(NHPL) announced todaythe 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).

“NHPLis working hard to optimize this important treatment to Indian patients in a timely way”, said Jawed Zia, Country President, Novartis India. “Once daily indacaterol/glycopyrroniumcombination 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 ClausVogelmeier, 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”.

This was reinforced by Dr Ashok Mahashur, Consultant Chest Physician, P.D. Hinduja National Hospital and Medical Research Centre Mumbai, who stated,“Good to know that combination of indacaterol/Glycopyrronium has been launched in India. Based on robust clinical data I feel this combination will be an effective bronchodilator and would reduce exacerbations in COPD 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/glycopyrroniumcombination has demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in lung function at 2 hours post-dose at Week 26. CCI Newswire