June 20 (Reuters) - Drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline Plc GSK.L
said its experimental combination therapy for a chronic lung
problem met the main goal of a late-stage study, allowing the
company to apply for marketing of the drug by the end of 2016.
The company said the study met its two main goals of
significantly improving lung functions in patients suffering
from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease on two scales
compared to AstraZeneca Plc's AZN.L Symbicort.
GlaxoSmithKline, which is a market leader in respiratory
medicine, is competing with rivals such as AstraZeneca and
Novartis AG NOVN.S to use three different mechanisms of action
in a single inhaler to help open the airways of patients with
more severe disease.