The investigational drug consists of a fixed-dose combination (FDC) that contains formoterol fumarate dihydrate , a long-acting β2-agonist (LABA), and fluticasone propionate , a glucocorticoid, powder for inhalation contained in a single capsule, in concentrations of 6 mcg and 125 mcg per capsule, respectively. The investigational drug consists of a fixed-dose combination (FDC) that contains formoterol fumarate dihydrate , a long-acting β2-agonist (LABA), and fluticasone propionate , a glucocorticoid, powder for inhalation contained in a single capsule, in concentrations of 6 mcg and 125 mcg per capsule, respectively.The investigational drug consists of a fixed-dose combination (FDC) that contains formoterol fumarate dihydrate , a long-acting β2-agonist (LABA), and fluticasone propionate , a glucocorticoid, powder for inhalation contained in a single capsule, in concentrations of 6 mcg and 125 mcg per capsule, respectively. Multicenter, randomized, parallel-group, open-label, comparative non-inferiority clinical trial. After a run-in period of four (04) weeks, during which all participants will receive Alenia® 6 mcg/200 mcg, patients with moderate asthma (step 3) controlled according to the criteria of the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA, 20221) will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive the FDC of formoterol 6 mcg/fluticasone 125 mcg Eurofarma (investigational drug) or Alenia® 6 mcg/200 mcg (comparator drug) (one [01] inhalation, twice a day) for 12 weeks. The primary non-inferiority assessment will be performed at the end of the 12 weeks of treatment. 2The study will be conducted in an open-label scenario, since the inhalation devices for the products have different aspects, making it impossible to blind the study treatments. The objective nature of the primary efficacy variable (forced expiratory volume in one second [FEV1]) minimizes potential bias arising from the open-label nature of the study. The duration of treatment (12 weeks) was defined based on the guidelines of the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA 20221) and the Brazilian Society of Pulmonology and Phthisiology (SBPT) regarding the time required to assess the effectiveness of asthma maintenance treatments (three months).
Eurofarma Laboratórios S.A. markets a FDC containing formoterol 12 mcg/fluticasone 250 mcg, in a single capsule for inhalation (Lugano®; reference product). The product is indicated for the treatment of asthma in patients aged ≥ 12 years. The company seeks to register a product with lower concentrations of mono-drugs (6 mcg and 125 mcg, respectively) to enable the dosage step up and step down treatment strategies advocated by the Global Initiative for Asthma for the inhaled maintenance treatment of asthma (GINA, 2022 ) with these combinations.~This Phase 3 study will be carried out for demonstrating the non-inferiority of the investigational drug (FDC of formoterol 6 mcg/fluticasone 125 mcg) compared to the FDC of formoterol 6 mcg/budesonide 200 mcg (Alenia® - Aché Laboratórios Farmacêuticos S.A.) in the maintenance treatment of asthma, allowing its registration as a new concentration of the drug already registered by the company.