Drug trial success boosts Vectura

Vectura, the pharma company specialising in treatments for respiratory diseases, says a trial of one of its development drugs has shown better results than the main competitor.

The not-catchily titled QVA149 is a treatment delivered through an inhaler, mainly targeted at chronic obstructive pulmonary disease - a condition often seen in smokers, or people working in a polluted environment, which can cause debilitating bouts of breathlessness.

The latest study results show a once daily dose of QVA149 gives patients "superior" lung function to the twice daily treatment Seretide.

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The drug will now progress to phase III trials in the US, managed by its partner in the project, pharma giant, Novartis.

Vectura shares had gained 4.35% by 10:12.

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