Indacaterol/glycopyrronium bromide explained

Indacaterol/glycopyrronium bromide, sold under the brand name Ultibro Breezhaler among others, is a fixed-dose combination medication for inhalation consisting of the following two active ingredients:

• Indacaterol maleate—an ultra-long-acting beta-adrenoceptor agonist (ultra-LABA);^[1]
• Glycopyrronium bromide (glycopyrrolate)—a muscarinic anticholinergic.

Indacaterol maleate/glycopyrronium bromide is used as a maintenance bronchodilator treatment to relieve symptoms in adult patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).^[2]

The drug is marketed by Novartis under the trade names Ultibro Breezhaler and Utibron Neohaler in Europe and the United States, respectively.^[3] In 2016, Novartis licensed its U.S. commercial rights for Seebri Neohaler and Utibron Neohaler to Sunovion Pharmaceuticals.^[4]

Notes and References

1. Cazzola M, Matera MG, Lötvall J . Ultra long-acting beta 2-agonists in development for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease . Expert Opin Investig Drugs . 14 . 7 . 775–83 . July 2005 . 16022567 . 10.1517/13543784.14.7.775 . 11930383 .
2. Web site: Ultibro Breezhaler . 3 February 2015 . medicines.org.uk . DataPharm . 9 February 2015.
3. Web site: Approval History: NDA 207930. DRUGS@FDA. US FDA. 14 May 2016.
4. Web site: Faulkner . Sarah . Sunovion, Novartis ink licensing deal for inhaled COPD drugs . Drug Delivery Business . 22 December 2016.