The FDA approved United Kingdom-based GlaxoSmithKline's Trelegy Ellipta, a once-daily inhaler that contains three medicines for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
The inhaler, developed with the help of San Francisco-based Innoviva, is a long-term maintenance treatment for patients with COPD, including bronchitis and emphysema.
GSK estimates one in four COPD patients take at least three medications per day to control the disease, revealing a need for a more intensive treatment.
"COPD is a progressive disease that can worsen over time, and represents a significant burden to patients and healthcare systems. The approval of Trelegy Ellipta, and the addition of a once-daily single inhaler triple therapy to our portfolio of respiratory medicines, is an important milestone for GSK that builds on our long heritage in this area," said Eric Dube senior vice president and head of GSK's Global Respiratory Franchise.