AstraZeneca's Glycopyrronium/Formoterol Inhalation Aerosol (Bevespi) Approved in China for COPD Treatment

By Feng Qiu

On May 14, AstraZeneca’s “Glycopyrronium Bromide and Formoterol Fumarate Inhalation Aerosol” was approved for marketing by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), commonly known as chronic bronchitis and emphysema, is a chronic inflammatory airway disease caused by inhalation of tobacco smoke, occupational dusts, or polluted air. Clinically, it is primarily characterized by progressively worsening dyspnea, with or without cough and sputum production. Pulmonary function tests reveal obstructive ventilatory impairment. Disease progression can readily lead to respiratory failure and cor pulmonale.

Glycopyrronium/formoterol fumarate inhalation aerosol (Bevespi) is a twice-daily combination therapy comprising two active ingredients: the long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA) glycopyrronium and the long-acting β2-agonist (LABA) formoterol fumarate. Bevespi is the first long-acting dual-component bronchodilator administered via pressurized metered-dose inhaler (pMDI) and the first product to utilize AstraZeneca’s Co-Suspension technology, which enables the delivery of multi-component medications through aerosol inhalation. Compared with the triple therapy Breztri, Bevespi does not contain budesonide; Breztri was approved for marketing in China on December 18, 2019. Sales have been gradually increasing this year, with sales revenue amounting to USD 42 million in 2019.

Bevespi Sales in Recent Years