Patient description: A 39-year-old man came to the clinic with cough and shortness of breath that was not relieved by his inhaler. He had these symptoms for 5 days during the past 2 weeks. He doubled his oral corticosteroids in the past week. He is a chef with a history of asthma for 3 years, suffering from frequent cough, wheezing, and shortness of breath and chest tightness. The symptoms become more bothersome within 1-2 hours of starting work every day and worsen throughout the work week. His symptoms improve within 1-2 hours outside the workplace. Spirometry was performed revealing a forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) of 63% of the predicted. His past medical history is significant for seasonal allergic rhinitis in the summer. He doesn't smoke or use illicit drugs. His family history is significant for asthma in his father and sister. He currently uses inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) and fluticasone 500 mcg/salmeterol 50 mcg, one puff twice daily.

Clinical trial eligibility criteria: eligible ages (years): 18.0-65.0,  Asthma Patients of either sex aged 18 years (inclusive) Non-smokers or ex smokers. stopped smoking >= 1 year prior to screening and with a smoking history of <= 10 pack years Diagnosis of to bronchial asthma with a duration of at least 6 months with the 4 plus 5 and a diagnosis of asthma according to the WHO guidelines for at least one year Increase of asthma symptoms (wheeze, cough, shortness of breath, chest tightness) when exposure to any of the following stimuli: cold, dry air, dust, smoke, exercise and allergens Patients on a stable dosage of either mcg <= BDP (beclomethasone dipropionate) <= 1600 mcg daily or other inhaled steroid with or without inhaled long acting β2-agonists or oral xanthines at screening visit 1 for the past 4 weeks and short acting β2-agonists prn for the past 6 weeks or mcg <= BDP < 800 mcg daily or other inhaled steroid and inhaled long-acting β2-agonists (or oral xanthines), at screening visit 1 for the past 4 weeks and short acting β2-agonists prn for the past 6 weeks FEV1 >= 60% but <= 90 % predicted normal at visit 1 after withholding respiratory drugs as per section 4.2.1. Predicted normal values are based on the guidelines for standardized function testing of the European Community for Coal and Steel (ECCS) Males: FEV1 pred. (L) = 4.30 x Height (m)  Patients with a history of seasonal exacerbation of asthma suggesting seasonal asthma which would not be controlled by medication allowed in the protocol (see 4.2.2) and likely to occur during the time period that the patients will be in the study History of cardiovascular, renal, neurologic, liver, immunologic or endocrine dysfunction if they are clinically significant. A clinically significant disease is defined as one which in the opinion of the investigator may either put the patient at risk because of participation in the study or a disease which may influence the results of the study or the patient's ability to participate in the study Patients with a recent history (<= 1 year) of myocardial infarction and/or (<= 3 years) of heart failure or patients with any cardiac arrhythmia requiring drug therapy History of cancer within the past 5 years excluding treated basal cell carcinoma Patients with current psychiatric disorders which would interfere with the conduct of the trial Patients with history or presence of glaucoma and/or posterior subcapsular cataracts Patients who have undergone thoracotomy with pulmonary resection. Patients with a history of thoracotomy for other reasons should be evaluated as per Patients with active tuberculosis with indication for treatment Patients with a history of cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis, chronic bronchitis or emphysema Patients with active rhinitis requiring treatment with intranasal steroids and/or ketotifen