A new inhaler developed by Chippenham firm Vectura to treat lung disease has been shown to be an effective alternative to traditional devices in a large-scale trial.
Patients using the Ultibro Breezhaler in the trial improved lung function and COPD (Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) symptoms after switching from their previous treatment, Vectura said in a statement to the London Stock Exchange. 
Ultibro Breezhaler, which is licensed by Vectura to Swiss drugs giant Novartis, is a once-daily steroid-free treatment approved in more than 90 countries worldwide to relieve COPD symptoms in adult patients.
Clinical trials have shown that it offers statistically significant improvements compared to current treatments.
Vectura specialises in products that treat inhaled airways conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPDs) such as chronic bronchitis and emphysema. It was part formed from a spin-out company from the University of Bath.
It has seven inhaled, four non-inhaled and 10 oral products marketed by partners with growing global royalty streams, and a portfolio of drugs in clinical development, a number of which have licence agreements with global pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies including Novartis, GSK and Chiesi.
COPD affects an estimated 210m people worldwide and is the third leading cause of death.
