A Randomized Study To Evaluate The Efficacy And Safety Of An Investigational Drug In Adolescent And Adult Subjects With Persistent Asthma.

Exclusion Criteria

• •Concurrent Anti-Asthma Therapy: Subjects must be using an inhaled corticosteroid for at least 3 months prior to Visit 1 and be maintained on a stable dose for four weeks prior to Visit 1 at one of the following doses: Anti-Asthma Therapy Maximum Daily Dose (mcg/day) Fluticasone propionate MDI CFC/HFA ≤220mcg1/≥250mcg2 Fluticasone propionate DPI 200mcg Beclomethasone dipropionate 420mcg1/500mcg2 Beclomethasone dipropionate HFA 160mcg1/200mcg2 Budesonide DPI 400mcg Flunisolide 1000mcg Triamcinolone acetonide 1000mcg Mometasone furoate 200mcg Ciclesonide 160mcg1/200mcg2
• •1. Ex-actuator dose: dose delivered to the lungs
• •2. Ex-valve dose: dose expressed from the valve
• •Short-Acting Beta2-Agonist: All subjects must be able to replace short-acting beta2-agonists with albuterol/salbutamol inhalation aerosol at Visit 1 for use as-needed for the duration of the study. Subjects must be able to withhold all inhaled short-acting beta-sympathomimetic bronchodilators for at least 6 hours prior to study visits.Note: Nebulized albuterol/salbutamol will not be allowed during the study with the exception of its use during reversibility testing at Visit 1. The use of albuterol/salbutamol through the DISKUS/ACCUHALER device will not be allowed during the study.
• •Informed Consent: All subjects must be able and willing to give written informed consent to take part in the study.
• •Compliance: Subjects must be able to comply with all the study requirements.
• •History of Life-Threatening Asthma: History of life-threatening asthma, defined as an asthma episode that required intubation and/or was associated with hypercapnia, respiratory arrest or hypoxic seizures.
• •Anti-Asthma Medications: Asthma medications listed below must not have been used prior to Visit 1 for the required interval listed below, and not taken during the study: Within 24 hours of Visit 1: Oral short-acting beta2-agonists: Within 2 weeks of Visit 1:Combination therapy containing inhaled beta2-agonists and ICS for asthma (e.g., fluticasone propionate/salmeterol combination, budesonide/formoterol combination);Slow-release bronchodilators (e.g., aminophylline, theophylline);Anticholinergics; Long-acting beta2-agonists (e.g., salmeterol); Ketotifen; Nedocromil sodium; Sodium cromoglycate; Oral long-acting beta2-agonists. Within 4 weeks of Visit 1: Anti-leukotrienes including suppressors of leukotriene production and antagonists. Within 12 weeks of Visit 1: Systemic, oral, parenteral, or depot corticosteroids; Anti-IgE (e.g., omalizumab).
• •Other Medications: The medications listed below must not have been used prior to Visit 1 for the required interval indicated below, and not taken during the study: Within 4 weeks of Visit 1: Known potent inhibitors of CYP3A4 (e.g., ritonavir, ketoconazole)
• •Respiratory Infection: History of a respiratory tract infection within 4 weeks of Visit 1. In addition, the subject must be excluded, if such infection occurs between Visits 1 and 2.
• •Asthma Exacerbation: History of a an asthma exacerbation within 4 weeks of Visit 1, any asthma exacerbation requiring oral corticosteroids within 3 months of Visit 1, or any hospitalization due to asthma exacerbation within 6 months of Visit 1.
• •Investigational Medications: A subject must not have used any investigational drug within 30 days prior to Visit 1 or within ten half-lives (t1/2) of the prior investigational study (which ever is longer of the two) or concurrently during the study.
• •Concurrent Diseases/Abnormalities: Historical or current evidence of clinically significant uncontrolled disease including, but not limited to: cardiovascular disease, malignancy, hepatic disease, renal disease, hematological disease, neurological disease, or pulmonary disease (including, but not confined to chronic bronchitis, emphysema, bronchiectasis with the need of treatment, cystic fibrosis, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). Significant is defined as any disease that, in the opinion of the investigator, would put the safety of the subject at risk through participation, or which would affect the efficacy or safety analysis if the disease/condition exacerbated during the study.
• •Oropharyngeal Examination: A subject will not be eligible for the run-in if he/she has evidence of oropharyngeal candidiasis at Visit 1.
• •Drug Allergy: Any adverse reaction including immediate or delayed hypersensitivity to any beta2-agonist, sympathomimetic drug, or any intranasal, inhaled, or systemic corticosteroid therapy.
• •Milk Protein Allergy: History of severe milk protein allergy.
• •Immunosuppressive Medications: A subject must not be using, or require use of, immunosuppressive medications during the study.
• •Note: Immunotherapy for the treatment of allergies is allowed during the study provided that it was initiated prior to Visit 1 and the subject is maintained on a stable daily dose throughout the study period.