Tiotropium has demonstrated significant and sustained bronchodilation (opening of the airways)(7) and reduction in hyperinflation (air trapping).(8, 9) Tiotropium also demonstrated superior and sustained improvements in lung function (FEV1) over ipratropium bromide (ATROVENT) Inhalation Aerosol, a current first-line therapy for COPD, which were maintained over one year (6) and has also demonstrated superior improvement in key lung function parameters over salmeterol.(10) In addition, in placebo controlled studies, patients treated with tiotropium had less activity induced breathlessness and improved exercise endurance. They required fewer doses of rescue medications, had fewer exacerbations and COPD-related hospitalizations. (7) In clinical trials, the most common adverse reaction reported with tiotropium was dry mouth, which was usually mild and often resolved spontaneously during treatment. (7) Long-acting bronchodilators, including tiotropium, are a preferred maintenance therapy for COPD from stage II onwards according to the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) treatment guidelines. (2)
About Boehringer Ingelheim
The Boehringer Ingelheim group is one of the world's 20 leading pharmaceutical companies. Headquartered in Ingelheim, Germany, it operates globally with 135 affiliates in 47 countries and 39,800 employees. Since it was founded in 1885, the family-owned company has been committed to researching, developing, manufacturing and marketing novel products of high therapeutic value for human and veterinary medicine.
In 2007, Boehringer Ingelheim posted net sales of 10.9 billion Euro while spending one fifth of net sales in its largest business segment Prescription Medicines on research and development.
For more information please visit http://www.boehringer-ingelheim.com
About Pfizer Inc
Founded in 1849, Pfizer is the world's largest research-based pharmaceutical company taking new approaches to better health. We discover, develop, manufacture and deliver quality, safe and effective prescription medicines to treat and help prevent disease for both people and animals. We also partner with healthcare providers, governments and local communities around the world to expand access to our medicines and to provide better quality health care and health system support. At Pfizer, more than 80,000 colleagues in more than 90 countries work every day to help people stay happier and healthier longer and to reduce the human and economic burden of disease worldwide.
Webcast and additional media materials
To view the UPLIFT Breaking News press briefing at the European Respiratory Society's annual congress in Berlin, Germany, please visit http://www.livecoder.com/clients/bi/20081005_berlin/rmf_dsl_eng.html
The briefing will be available for live viewing on Sunday, 5 October 16:00-16:45 (CET) and available on demand from Sunday, 5 October 18:00 (CET).
Journalists may want to download additional information here: http://www.boehringer-ingelheim.com/corporate/news/presspack/uplift_2008/inde x.asp
References
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(*) Health-related quality of life was evaluated using the Saint George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), where a four-point decrease in SGRQ score is considered to be a clinically meaningful improvement in a patient's health-related quality of life.
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(1) Tashkin DP, Celli B, Senn S, et al. A 4-year trial of tiotropium in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. N Engl J Med 2008; 359: 1543-54.
(2) Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease. Global Strategy for the Diagnosis, Management and Prevention of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: http://www.goldcopd.com/Guidelineitem.asp?l1=2&l2=1&intId=989 Updated: 2007
(3) Source: World Health Report. World Health Organization. Available from URL: http://www.who.int/respiratory/copd/en/
(4) World Health Organization. World Health Report 2004. Statistical Annex. Annex table 2 and 3: 120-131.
(5) Casaburi R, Kukafka D, Cooper CB, et al. Improvement in exercise tolerance with the combination of tiotropium and pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with COPD. Chest 2005; 127:809-817.
(6) Vincken W, van Noord JA, Greefhorst APM, et al. Improved health outcomes in patients with COPD during 1 year's treatment with tiotropium. Eur Respir J 2002; 19:209-216.
(7) Casaburi R, Mahler DA, Jones PW, et al. A long-term evaluation of once-daily inhaled tiotropium in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Eur Respir J. 2002; 1:217-224.
(8) Celli B, ZuWallack R, Wang S, et al. Improvement in resting inspiratory capacity and hyperinflation with tiotropium in COPD patients with increased static lung volumes. Chest 2003; 124: 1743-1748.
(9) O'Donnell DE, Fluge T, Gerken F, et al. Effects of tiotropium on lung hyperinflation, dyspnoea and exercise tolerance in COPD. Eur Respir J. 2004 23(6):832-48
(10) Brusasco V, Hodder R, Miravitlles M, et al. Health outcomes following treatment for six months with once daily tiotropium compared with twice daily salmeterol in patients with COPD. Thorax 2003; 58: 399-404.
Contact:
Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH
External Communications
Ute E Schmidt
Binger Strasse 173
55216 Ingelheim am Rhein
Germany
Tel.: +49-6132-779-7296
Head External Communications
Judith von Gordon
Binger Strasse 173
55216 Ingelheim am Rhein
Germany
Tel.: +49-6132-773-582
E: press@boehringer-ingelheim.com
Pfizer Inc.
Director European Communications
Oliver Stohlmann
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E: oliver.stohlmann@pfizer.com
Investor Relations
Jennifer Davis
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E: jennifer.m.davis@pfizer.com
Contact: Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH, External Communications, Ute E Schmidt, Binger Strasse 173, 55216 Ingelheim am Rhein, Germany, Tel.: +49-6132-779-7296; Head External Communications, Judith von Gordon, Binger Strasse 173, 55216 Ingelheim am Rhein, Germany, Tel.: +49-6132-773-582, E: press@boehringer-ingelheim.com; Pfizer Inc., Director European Communications, Oliver Stohlmann, Tel: +43-152-115-337, E: oliver.stohlmann@pfizer.com; Investor Relations, Jennifer Davis, Tel: +1-212-733-0717, E: jennifer.m.davis@pfizer.com