Indacaterol: pharmacologic profile, efficacy and safety in the treatment of adults with COPD

Abstract

Indacaterol is a novel once-daily long-acting β2-agonist (LABA) for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) that is currently completing Phase II and Phase III trials. It represents the first of a group of drugs now referred to as the ‘ultra-LABAs’. It has recently gained approval in Europe, and is pending regulatory review in the USA. Indacaterol produces a rapid and sustained bronchodilation that lasts for at least 24 h in patients with COPD. To date, 1-year studies with indacaterol indicate that it can be taken once daily with good overall safety and tolerability profiles. The therapeutic potential for indacaterol is supported by data on patient-reported outcomes with an improvement in symptoms such as dyspnea, exercise capacity and quality of life, and a reduction in exacerbations. It is likely that indacaterol could be used in conjunction with other agents such as inhaled corticosteroids and anticholinergics for the treatment of COPD as a single once-daily combination treatment.

Keywords::

• β2-adrenoceptor agonist
• bronchodilator treatment
• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• indacaterol
• LABA
• long-acting β-agonist

Financial & competing interests disclosure

Kian F Chung has acted as principal investigator for Novartis CQAB149 clinical studies over the past 2 years. He has also received honoraria and research support from Novartis, and has served on Novartis Advisory Boards. He has similar relationships with GSK, Gilead, Boehringer Ingelheim, and Merck Sharp & Dohme. Christopher KM Hui has received research funding through grants from Wellcome Trust and Asthma UK, and is a registered coinvestigator for the Novartis CQAB149 clinical studies. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.