A Dose Ranging Study With CHF 1531 in Subjects With Asthma (FLASH)

This is a phase II, randomized, double-blind, placebo and active controlled dose-ranging, 6 arm incomplete block cross-over study to identify the optimal dose of CHF 1531 pMDI (containing formoterol fumarate), with regard to lung function and other clinical efficacy and safety outcome measures. After a 2 week run-in period under rescue albuterol 'as needed' and background inhaled corticosteroid (ICS), subjects qualifying for the study were required to complete 4 treatment intervals of 2 weeks each, separated by 2 week wash-out intervals. During each treatment interval, the subject were randomly assigned to take one of 5 double-blind study treatments twice daily (BID) i.e. one of 4 doses of CHF 1531 pMDI or a matching placebo or the open-label active control treatment (Perforomist® Inhalation Solution \[IS\]) also BID. During the entire study, all subjects concomitantly received ICS treatment with QVAR® inhaler (beclomethasone dipropionate 40 or 80 µg /actuation) twice daily at a dose that matches their pre-enrollment ICS and an albuterol inhaler to use as asthma rescue medication on 'as needed' basis. The subjects visited the study center every 2 weeks to undergo study procedures, and received a safety follow-up phone call one week after their last visit. In total, the study lasted 18 weeks and required 10 visits to the study center. During the study, daily asthma symptoms, peak expiratory flow, rescue and background medication use, and compliance with the study medication were recorded in a subject diary. Treatment-Emergent Adverse Events (TEAEs) were assessed and recorded throughout the study. A full physical exam, routine hematology, blood chemistry, spirometry, vital signs measurement, 12-lead ECG, and pregnancy testing were performed before enrollment and at the end of the study. Furthermore, on Day 1 and 14 of each treatment interval, serial spirometry, 12-lead ECGs, blood pressure measurements (BP), serum potassium, and serum glucose were measured at the study center for up to 12 hours post-dose.