Efficacy Study of SYN006 HFA MDI in Asthma Patients

The objective of the study is to evaluate the dose response of SYN006 HFA MDI, which is a combination drug product of budesonide and procaterol hydrochloride, in asthma patients. Patients with mild to moderate asthma will be recruited. There will be two study medication administered in this study. The investigational medication is SYN006 (Budesonide/Procaterol hydrochloride, 180 mcg/10 mcg per inhalation) and the active comparative medication is Ventolin (Salbutamol sulfate 100 mcg per inhalation). The study medication will be administered by oral inhalation with the supervision of the investigator or a qualified staff.

Three treatments will be administered in a patient:

* A. Two inhalations of Ventolin 100 mcg,
* B. One inhalation of SYN006 180/10 mcg,
* C. Two inhalations of SYN006 180/10 mcg.

Patients will be received the study treatment according to one of the six treatment sequences according to the randomization schedule:

1. A-B-C,
2. B-A-C,
3. C-A-B,
4. C-B-A,
5. A-C-B,
6. B-C-A.

The efficacy endpoint is

* The change in Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV1) within 6 hours.
* The change in Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) within 6 hours.
* The change in Force Vital Capacity (FVC) within 6 hours.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Male or female patient aged \>= 16 years old
* History of FEV1 \>=12% and 200 ml increase after inhalation of short-acting beta 2-agonist;
* Pre-bronchodilator FEV1 \> 60% and \< 90% of predicted normal value at enrollment;
* Ability to inhale correctly through MDI inhaler
* Written informed consent obtained.
* Diagnosis of mild to moderate persistent asthma according to GINA with a documented history of at least 6 months duration.

Mild Persistent:

1. Symptoms more than once a week but less than once a day
2. Nocturnal symptoms more than twice a month
3. Exacerbations may affect activity and sleep
4. FEV1 or PEF \>= 80% predicted
5. PEF or FEV1 variability \< 20 - 30%

Moderate Persistent:

1. Symptoms daily
2. Nocturnal symptoms more than once a week
3. Exacerbations may affect activity and sleep
4. Daily use of inhaled short-acting beta2-agonist
5. FEV1 or PEF \> 60% - \< 80% predicted
6. PEF or FEV1 variability \> 30%

Exclusion Criteria:

* Currently uncontrolled asthma according to GINA guideline;
* Allergy, sensitivity or intolerance to study drugs and/or study drug formulation ingredients;
* Inability to carry out pulmonary function testing;
* Severe asthma associated with reduced lung function;
* Clinically significant or unstable concurrent diseases: uncontrolled hyperthyroidism, significant hepatic impairment, poorly controlled pulmonary disease (tuberculosis, active mycotic infection of the lung), gastrointestinal (e.g., active peptic ulcer), neurological or haematological autoimmune diseases;
* Abnormal ECG at enrollment;
* History of near-fatal asthma and/or admission intensive care unit because of asthma;
* History or current evidence of heart failure, coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, severe hypertension, or cardiac arrhythmias;
* Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) or coronary artery by-pass graft (CABG) during the previous 6 months at enrollment;
* Hospitalization for asthma during the past 3 months at enrollment;
* Evidence of severe asthma exacerbation or symptomatic infection of the airways in the previous 3 months at enrollment;
* Current smokers or recent (less than one year) ex-smokers, defined as smoking at least 10 pack/years;
* History of alcohol or drug abuse;
* Pregnant or lactating females or not able to exclude pregnancy during the study period;
* Patients unlikely to comply with the protocol or unable to understand the nature, scope and possible consequences of the study;
* Patients who received any investigational new drug within the last 3 months at enrollment;
* Patients who have been previously enrolled in this study.