Novartis commends publication of major report which recommends broad use of dual bronchodilators to treat COPD

Novartis International AG / Novartis commends publication of major report which recommends broad use of dual bronchodilators to treat COPD . Processed and transmitted by Nasdaq Corporate Solutions. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

• 2017 GOLD report recommends the first-line use of dual bronchodilators, such as Ultibro^® Breezhaler^®, in the treatment of the majority of symptomatic COPD patients
   

Bronchodilation regarded as the foundation treatment for COPD patients prior to the use of inhaled steroid-containing therapies, as supported by Novartis' FLAME study evidence
 

Today's recommendations expected to translate to health care professionals moving away from the historical reliance on inhaled corticosteroid combinations for the treatment of COPD

Basel, November 21, 2016 - Novartis welcomes the publication of the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) 2017 report. For the first time, GOLD has recommended the first-line use of dual bronchodilators, such as Ultibro^® Breezhaler^® (indacaterol/glycopyrronium bromide) 110/50 mcg, in the treatment of the majority of symptomatic chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients, regardless of their exacerbation risk[1].

The GOLD 2017 report is a tool to help health care professionals worldwide implement effective COPD management programs. Significantly, the use of inhaled steroid-containing combination therapies is now only recommended in a minority of patients (those with a history of two or more exacerbations in the previous year, or one hospitalization), following dual bronchodilator (LABA/LAMA*) treatment[1].

"Today's publication of the new GOLD 2017 report is a major step in the fight to help improve the diagnosis and management of COPD around the world," said Vasant Narasimhan, Global Head Drug Development and Chief Medical Officer for Novartis. "Reflecting the latest clinical evidence, the report not only supports bronchodilation as a first treatment step for the majority of COPD patients, but also recommends a more critical risk-based assessment of specific patient types that may benefit from inhaled steroid-containing therapies. We are pleased that the FLAME study helps underpin these important recommendations."