New Study Shows Potential for Experimental Asthma Pill

Researchers at the University of Leicester announced promising results for what could be the first new asthma pill in nearly 20 years.

The primary goal of this study was to see how the drug, Feviviprant, affected airway inflammation by measuring the patient’s sputum eosinophil count, according to the university’s announcement. It’s essentially a biological marker that analyzes how severe the condition is based on an increase in certain types of white blood cells.

A total of 61 patients with moderate-to-severe asthma participated in this study where one group was assigned placebo and the other group was given 225 milligrams of the drug that needed to be taken twice a day over the course of 12 weeks. Both sets of volunteers were required to take the medication in conjunction with their current treatment regimen.

Results showedFeviviprant significantly improved lung function and fixed damaged airways in lungs as well as decreased asthma symptoms and reduced inflammation with no serious adverse events reported.

Novartis is developing the drug, reported Reuters. The company hopes to file for regulatory approval in 2019 after more tests are done verifying that Feviviprant can reduce severe asthma attacks.