A Study Comparing the Safety and Efficacy of Fluticasone and Formoterol Combination (FlutiForm™) With Fluticasone or Flovent to Treat Moderate to Severe Asthma in Adolescents and Adults

The medications being used in this study are individually approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The medication under investigation is a combination of two medications in one inhaler. The purpose of this study is to determine how well your asthma is controlled when taking one of the three treatment.

This Phase 3 randomized, double-blind, active-controlled, parallel group, stratified, multi-center study will evaluate the safety and efficacy of FlutiForm (250/10ug) after twice daily dosing over 12 weeks delivered by SKP HFA pMDI compared with Fluticasone propionate (250ug of twice daily) delivered by SKP HFA pMDI and Flovent® Fluticasone 250ug HFA pMDI in adolescent and adult patients with moderate to severe asthma. Only steroid-requiring patients (inhaled steroid regimen stable for at least 4 weeks prior to the Screening Visit at a dose not greater than 500ug/day Fluticasone propionate or equivalent) will be eligible. All patients will undergo a Run-In Period of 14 ± 3 days during which they will receive asthma maintenance therapy using Fluticasone HFA pMDI (Flovent® HFA 50 ug/actuation: 100µg/day (one inhalation twice daily) if they were using less than or equal to 250mg/day Fluticasone propionate or equivalent inhaled steroid, or 200ug/day (two inhalations twice daily) if they were using greater than 250ug/day Fluticasone propionate or equivalent inhaled steroid prior to the Screening Visit.). The use of rescue Salbutamol (Albuterol) pMDI will be permitted for all patients as needed for the control of worsening asthma symptoms during the Run-In Period. At the Baseline Visit (Week 0) following the Run-In period, eligible patients will be randomized to the treatment groups. Treatment assignment will be stratified according to their Baseline FEV1 % predicted (40-60% or \>60-80%).Study drug will be administered twice daily over a 12-week period. Patient visits will occur at Weeks 2, 4, 8, and 12 during which assessments (including serial PFTs up to 4 hours) will be made. In a subset of at least 66 patients (22 patients per treatment group) from selected centers, post-dose 12-hour serial PFTs will be performed at Baseline, Weeks 2 and 12. During the Treatment Period, patients may only take their blinded study medication; all other asthma medications will be withheld for the duration of the Treatment Period. However, the use of rescue Salbutamol (Albuterol) pMDI will be permitted in all patients as needed during the Treatment Period for the control of worsening asthma symptoms.

Eligibility Criteria:
Main Inclusion Criteria:

* ≥ Age 12 years at the Screening Visit.
* History of asthma for 12 months prior to the Screening Visit.
* Documented use of an inhaled corticosteroid for at least 4 weeks prior to the Screening Visit.
* Steroid-requiring patient
* patients must demonstrate (1) an FEV1 of 40% to 80% (inclusive) of predicted normal values at both the Screening and Baseline Visits and (2) documented reversibility within 12 months of the Screening Visit, defined as a ≥ 15%

Main Exclusion Criteria:

* Life-threatening asthma within the past year or during the Run-In Period.
* History of systemic (oral or injectable) corticosteroid medication within 3 months before the Screening Visit.
* An upper or lower respiratory infection within 4 weeks prior to the Screening Visit or during the Run-In Period.
* Significant, non-reversible, pulmonary disease (e.g., chronic obstructive pulmonary disease \[COPD\], cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis).
* A smoking history equivalent to "10 pack years" (i.e., at least 1 pack of 20 cigarettes /day for 10 years or 10 packs/day for 1 year, etc.).
* Current smoking history within 12 months prior to the Screening Visit.
* Previous exposure to FlutiForm