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): 18.0-75.0,  Asthma Sign informed consent Be 18-75 years of age, of either sex and any race Have asthma for >= 12 months Have mild or moderate persistent asthma Prior to completing Screening Visit procedures, must be using: low or moderate doses of an inhaled corticosteroid (IC), with a short-acting beta-2 agonist (SABA) as needed (prn) or a SABA prn as monotherapy. Those using a combination ICs plus long-acting beta-2 agonist (LABA) medication, such as Advair 100/50 twice daily (BID), must be changed to fluticasone propionate 100 mcg BID for at least 5 days prior to the start of Run-In-Period. Those using LABA as monotherapy must be switched to SABA prn for at least 5 days prior to the start of Run-In Period Be off treatment with leukotriene receptor antagonist (LTRA) for at least 14 days prior to Screening Have an FEV1 >=65% but <=85% of predicted normal value at Screening and at Baseline when SABAs have been withheld for at least 6 hours Demonstrate an increase of absolute FEV1 of >= 12% with an absolute volume increase of at least 200mL during Screening. Written documentation of FEV1 reversibility of >= 12% within 2 years prior to Screening was acceptable in lieu of testing. FEV1 reversibility testing should be done after withholding inhaled SABA for at least 6 hours Have a frequency of asthma score of at least 2 (at least 2 symptoms) and/or frequency of bronchodilator use score of at least 2 at Screening Have a Total Asthma Severity Score (TASS) of at least 4 on 8 or more of the AM and PM recordings from the last 7 days during the Run-in period prior to Baseline and the AM of the Baseline Visit  Women who are pregnant or intend to become pregnant during the study Women who are nursing or intend to nurse during the study or within 30 days after completion Have participated in any clinical trial within the last 30 days or in one involving antibodies for asthma or rhinitis within 3 months prior to Screening Have had an unscheduled medical visit (due to exacerbation of asthma) within 1 month prior to Screening Have been treated in the emergency room or admitted to the hospital due to exacerbation of asthma on two or more occasions within the 12 months prior to Screening Have used >12 puffs of rescue SABAs or 2 treatments with a nebulized beta-2-agonist per day on 2 consecutive days within 4 weeks prior to Screening Required more than 2 courses of oral/systemic corticosteroids for asthma within 12 months prior to Screening Have a history of sleep disorders, including narcolepsy, or use of medications that affect alertness or sleep Have sleep apnea, obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea, or are being treated with the ventilation devices Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) or (Bi-level Positive Airway Pressure (Bi-PAP), or are receiving oxygen by inhalation Are smokers or ex-smokers who have smoked within 6 months prior to Screening or have a cumulative smoking history of 10 pack-years or greater