Clinical trial NCT02571777 (phase 3, status: completed)
Conditions: asthma
ICD codes: J45.998, J82.83, J45.909, J45.991, J45.20, J45.30, J45.40
Drugs: qvm149 150/50/160, qvm149 150/50/80, qmf149 150/320, qmf149 150/160, salmeterol/fluticasone
SMILES: OCC1=C(O)C=CC(=C1)C(O)CNCCCCCCOCCCCC1=CC=CC=C1
Eligibility criteria:

        Inclusion Criteria:

          -  Patients with a diagnosis of asthma, (GINA 2015) for a period of at least 1 year prior
             to Visit 1 (Screening).

          -  Patients who have used medium or high dose of ICS/LABA combinations for asthma for at
             least 3 months and at stable medium or high doses of ICS/LABA for at least 1 month
             prior to Visit 1.

          -  Patients must be symptomatic at screening despite treatment with mid or high stable
             doses of ICS/LABA. Patients with ACQ-7 score ≥ 1.5 at Visit 101 and at Visit 102
             (before randomization).

          -  Patients with documented history of at least one asthma exacerbation which required
             medical care from a physician, ER visit (or local equivalent structure) or
             hospitalization in the 12 months prior to Visit 1, and required systemic
             corticosteroid treatment.

          -  Pre-bronchodilator FEV1 of < 80 % of the predicted normal value for the patient
             according to ATS/ERS guidelines after withholding bronchodilators at both visits 101
             and 102.

          -  Withholding period of bronchodilators prior to spirometry: SABA for ≥ 6 hrs, Twice
             daily LABA (or FDC of ICS/LABA) for ≥ 12 hrs, Once daily LABA (or FDC of ICS/LABA) for
             ≥ 24 hrs, SAMA for ≥ 8 hrs, Short acting xanthines for 12 hrs, Long acting xanthines
             for 24 hrs, .

          -  Washout period of each drug should be kept as close as possible as above and should
             not be longer. If longer washout period is needed due to scheduling issues, please
             contact Novartis Medical monitor.

          -  A one-time repeat of percentage predicated FEV1 (Pre-bronchodilator) at Visit 101
             and/or Visit 102 is allowed in an ad-hoc visit. Repeat of Visit 101 spirometry should
             be done in an ad-hoc visit to be scheduled on a date that would provide sufficient
             time to receive confirmation from the spirometry data central reviewer of the validity
             of the assessment before randomization. Run-in medication should be dispensed once
             spirometry assessment met inclusion criteria (ATS/ERS quality criteria, FEV1 %
             predicted normal value, and reversibility) as per equipment

          -  A one-time rescreen is allowed in case the patient fails to meet the criteria at the
             repeat, provided the patient returned to the required treatment as per inclusion
             criteria 4

          -  Patients who demonstrate an increase in FEV1 of 12% and 200 mL within 30 minutes after
             administration of 400 µg salbutamol/360 µg albuterol (or equivalent dose) at Visit
             101.All patients must perform a reversibility test at Visit 101. If reversibility is
             not demonstrated at Visit 101 then one of the following criteria need to be met.

          -  Reversibility should be repeated once.

          -  Patients may be permitted to enter the study with historical evidence of reversibility
             that was performed according to ATS/ERS guidelines within 2 years prior to Visit 1.

          -  Alternatively, patients may be permitted to enter the study with a historical positive
             bronchoprovocation test that was performed within 2 years prior to Visit 1. If
             reversibility is not demonstrated at Visit 101 (or after repeated assessment in an
             ad-hoc visit) and historical evidence of reversibility/bronchoprovocation is not
             available (or was not performed according to the ATS/ERS guidelines patients must be
             screen failed

          -  Spacer devices are permitted during reversibility testing only. The Investigator or
             delegate may decide whether or not to use a spacer for the reversibility testing

        Exclusion Criteria:

          -  Patients who have had an asthma attack/exacerbation requiring systemic steroids or
             hospitalization or emergency room visit within 6 weeks of Visit 1 (Screening). If
             patients experience an asthma attack/exacerbation requiring systemic steroids or
             hospitalization or emergency room visit between Visit 1 and Visit 102 they may be
             re-screened 6 weeks after recovery from the exacerbation.

          -  Patients who have ever required intubation for a severe asthma attack/exacerbation.

          -  Patients who have a clinical condition which is likely to be worsened by ICS
             administration (e.g. glaucoma, cataract and fragility fractures) who are according to
             investigator's medical judgment at risk participating in the study.

          -  Patients treated with a LAMA for asthma within 3 months prior Visit 1 (Screening).

          -  Patients with narrow-angle glaucoma, symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or
             bladder-neck obstruction or severe renal impairment or urinary retention. BPH patients
             who are stable on treatment can be considered).

          -  Patients who have had a respiratory tract infection or asthma worsening as determined
             by investigator within 4 weeks prior to Visit 1 (Screening) or between Visit 1 and
             Visit 102. Patients may be re-screened 4 weeks after recovery from their respiratory
             tract infection or asthma worsening.

          -  Patients with evidence upon visual inspection (laboratory culture is not required) of
             clinically significant (in the opinion of investigator) oropharyngeal candidiasis at
             Visit 102 or earlier, with or without treatment. Patients may be re-screened once
             their candidiasis has been treated and has resolved.

          -  Patients with any chronic conditions affecting the upper respiratory tract (e.g.
             chronic sinusitis) which in the opinion of the investigator may interfere with the
             study evaluation or optimal participation in the study.

          -  Patients with a history of chronic lung diseases other than asthma, including (but not
             limited to) chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, sarcoidosis, interstitial lung
             disease, cystic fibrosis, clinically significant bronchiectasis and active
             tuberculosis.

          -  Patients with Type I diabetes or uncontrolled Type II diabetes.

          -  Patients who, either in the judgment of the investigator or the responsible Novartis
             personnel, have a clinically significant condition such as (but not limited to)
             unstable ischemic heart disease, New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class III/IV left
             ventricular failure arrhythmia, uncontrolled hypertension, cerebrovascular disease,
             psychiatric disease, neurodegenerative diseases, or other neurological disease,
             uncontrolled hypo- and hyperthyroidism and other autoimmune diseases, hypokalemia,
             hyperadrenergic state, or ophthalmologic disorder or patients with a medical condition
             that might compromise patient safety or compliance, interfere with evaluation, or
             preclude completion of the study.

          -  Patients with paroxysmal (e.g., intermittent) atrial fibrillation are excluded.
             Patients with persistent atrial fibrillation as defined by continuous atrial
             fibrillation for at least 6 months and controlled with a rate control strategy (i.e.,
             selective beta blockers, calcium channel blocker, pacemaker placement, digoxin or
             ablation therapy) for at least 6 months may be considered for inclusion. In such
             patients, atrial fibrillation must be present at the run-in visit (Visit 101) with a
             resting ventricular rate < 100/min. At Visit 101 the atrial fibrillation must be
             confirmed by central reading.

          -  Patients with a history of myocardial infarction (this should be confirmed clinically
             by the investigator) within the previous 12 months.

          -  Concomitant use of agents known to prolong the QT interval unless it can be
             permanently discontinued for the duration of study

          -  Patients with a history of long QT syndrome or whose QTc measured at Visit 101
             (Fridericia method) is prolonged (> 450 msec for males and > 460 msec for females) and
             confirmed by a central assessor (these patients should not be rescreened).

          -  Patients with a history of hypersensitivity to lactose, any of the study drugs or to
             similar drugs within the class including untoward reactions to sympathomimetic amines
             or inhaled medication or any component thereof.

          -  Patients who have not achieved an acceptable spirometry result at Visit 101 in
             accordance with ATS/ERS criteria for acceptability and repeatability. A one-time
             repeat spirometry is allowed in an ad-hoc visit scheduled as close as possible from
             the first attempt (but not on the same day) if the spirometry did not qualify due to
             ATS/ERS criteria at Visit 101 and/or Visit 102. If the patient fails the repeat
             assessment, the patient may be rescreened once, provided the patient returns to the
             required treatment as per inclusion criteria 4.

          -  Patients unable to use the Concept1 dry powder inhaler, Accuhaler or a metered dose
             inhaler. Spacer devices are not permitted.

          -  History of alcohol or other substance abuse.

          -  Patients with a known history of non-compliance to medication or who were unable or
             unwilling to complete a patient diary or who are unable or unwilling to use Electronic
             Peak Flow with e-diary device.

          -  Patients who do not maintain regular day/night, waking/sleeping cycles (e.g., night
             shift workers).