Breakthrough drug could cure asthma and hay fever symptoms

A once-a-day drug heralded as a potential 'breakthrough' in the treatment of asthma and hay fever is to be tested on patients for the first time.

Clinical trials are to start soon on the medication which, it is hoped, will have fewer side effects than existing ones.

In a major boon for asthma sufferers, rather than having to take two drugs - or use a combined inhaler - a single daily puff from their inhaler would be enough to stop the symptoms.

Up to 60 men and women with asthma and hay fever will test the compound - known as RPL554 - in the Netherlands at the Centre for Human Drug Research.

These preliminary trials for safety and efficacy will be completed early next year. If successful, they will be followed by tests involving hundreds of patients.

The drug could be available in three to four years' time, according to Dr Clive Page, chairman of Verona Pharma, which is developing the treatment.

The drug was invented by Sir David Jack, the former research director at drug giant GlaxoSmithKIine who developed many asthma drugs currently in use, said Dr Page.

He added that the laboratory work had made the research team hopeful about the prospects of success.

Current treatments for asthma and hay fever sufferers are beta-agonists, which open up the airways, and inhaled steroids, which dampen down the inflammation that causes irritation. They are either taken together or singly.

But they have serious side effects, including possible harm to the cardiovascular system and the 'shakes' reported by many patients from excess use.

Dr Page, who is also professor of pharmacology at King's College London, said: 'They are very effective but not without problems.

'RPL554 is a single molecule that does both jobs and should have a better side effect profile.'

He added: 'There is room for improvement and we are cautiously optimistic that we can develop a treatment where one puff will last all day.'

Leanne Male, assistant director of research at the leading charity Asthma UK, said 'There hasn't been much progress recently with alternative, effective and practical treatment options for a wide range of people with asthma and hay fever.

'However, by combining anti-inflammatory properties and the ability to overcome airway narrowing in a single long-lasting drug administered via the nose, RPL554 could offer real hope of a significant breakthrough.

'Therefore we eagerly await the results of this first clinical trial in humans.'

She added that at least half of the 5.2 million people with asthma in the UK also have hay fever, which increases their risk of having asthma attacks and needing hospital treatment.

Michael Walker, chief executive of Verona, said: 'RPL554 targets common respiratory diseases that cost globally an estimated $20billion (£10billion) to treat.

'The commencement of this clinical trial will mark a major step in the development process for RPL554, a drug that could provide a significant improvement in the treatment of asthma and allergic rhinitis.'

Verona is also investigating other novel compounds to tackle respiratory diseases based on anti-inflammatory substances found in starfish and a treatment for coughs.