Study to Compare QVM149 and Free Triple Combination of Salmeterol/Fluticasone + Tiotropium

This study used a randomized, partially-blinded, 24-week, parallel-group, non-inferiority, open-label active controlled design. The study was partially open-label. Investigators and patients had knowledge of treatment allocation between QVM149 and/or comparator, however the QVM149 strength allocation was masked. The global sponsor team responsible for data review and analysis was blinded to all treatment allocations The study consisted of a screening period of up to 1-week, run-in period of 2-weeks, randomized treatment period of 24-weeks, and a follow-up period of 1-week.

At the screening visit, informed consent was obtained, and current and prohibited medications were reviewed. Rescue medication was provided to all patients who met the eligibility criteria and was to be used on an "as needed" basis throughout the study.

At the run-in visit, inclusion and exclusion criteria were reviewed and the patients were supplied with open-label long acting β2-adrenergic agonist/inhaled corticosteroids (LABA/ICS) salmeterol/fluticasone 50/250 μg b.i.d or 50/500 μg b.i.d to match their ICS background medication dose to be stopped at randomization visit.

All patients who met the eligibility criteria were randomized to 1 of 3 treatment arms with a randomization ratio of 1:1:1. The patients were stratified at randomization according to the ICS dose component of background ICS/LABA (medium or high dose) and region.

Treatment period visits were scheduled every 8 weeks. The study used two doses of QVM149 (high dose [150/50/160 μg] and a medium dose [150/50/80 μg] o.d. delivered via Concept1 inhaler) and a comparator treatment (salmeterol/fluticasone 50/500 μg b.i.d. delivered via Accuhaler® plus tiotropium 5 μg o.d delivered via Respimat®).

All randomized patients were contacted (by telephone) 7 days following the last dose of study medication or last visit, whichever was later, for Safety Follow-up visit.

Inclusion criteria

• Patients with a diagnosis of asthma for a period of at least 6 months prior to Visit 1 with current asthma severity ≥ step 4 (GINA 2017).
• Patients who had used ICS/LABA combinations for asthma for at least 3 months and at stable medium or high dose of ICS/LABA for at least 1 month prior to Visit 1.
• Patients were required to be symptomatic at screening despite treatment with medium or high stable doses of ICS/LABA as defined by ACQ-7 score ≥ 1.5 at visits 101 and 201 (randomization visit).
• Patients with history of at least one severe asthma exacerbation which required medical care from a physician, emergency room visit (or local equivalent structure) or hospitalization in the 12 months prior to Visit 1 and required systemic corticosteroid treatment for at least 3 days including physician guided self-management treatment with oral corticosteroids as part of written asthma action plan.
• Pre-bronchodilator FEV1 of < 85 % of the predicted normal value for the patient after withholding bronchodilators prior to spirometry at both Visit 101 and Visit 201.
• Patients who demonstrated an increase in FEV1 of ≥ 12% and 200 ml.

Exclusion criteria

• Patients who had a smoking history of greater than 20 pack years.
• Patients diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
• Patients who had an asthma attack/exacerbation requiring systemic steroids or hospitalization or emergency room visit within 6 weeks of Visit 1 (Screening).
• Patients treated with a LAMA for asthma within 3 months prior to Visit 1.
• Patients who had a respiratory tract infection or clinical significant asthma worsening as defined by Investigator within 4 weeks prior to Visit 1 or between Visit 1 and Visit 201.