GlaxoSmithKline PLC (LON:GSK) and Innoviva Inc (NASDAQ:INVA) have taken a step forward with their potential treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
They said a study of Relvar Ellipta in an everyday clinical practice setting showed better results in combating worsening COPD compared to usual treatment methods.
The companies carried out the study on patients in an everyday clinical practice setting at 80 primary care sites in Salford, Greater Manchester.
Senior vice-president and head of Glaxo's global respiratory franchise, Eric Dube, said: "The Salford Lung Study COPD results support the effectiveness of Relvar.
"As we move beyond the headline results, we will learn so much more about the medicine and disease management.
"We believe the results could transform understanding of how patients in everyday clinical practice respond to COPD treatments."
Michael W. Aguiar, president and chief executive of Innoviva, said: “These data provide a significant body of evidence in everyday clinical practice and add to the data generated from other randomised controlled studies.
"The data are unique in the world of evidence generation in COPD.
"We look forward to disclosing further data and analyses, which we believe will be of significant value to both physicians and patients.”
The companies continue to analyse the results and are conducting a second Salford Lung Study in asthma, with results due in 2017.
Glaxo's stock lifted 0.73% to 1448.5p. Shares in Innoviva rose US$0.63, or 5.75%, to US$11.63.