Novartis AG's experimental respiratory drug QAB149 improved lung function and reduced breathlessness in a late-stage trial of patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Patients suffering from COPD experienced an improved lung function at both 12 and 26 weeks of treatment with QAB149 as compared with bronchiodilator tiotropium, called spiriva. QAB149 was consumed once everyday.

These results suggest that QAB149 will pose a challenge for blockbusters like Pfizer's spiriva and GlavoSmithKline's Advair. This will provide Novartis an advantage over the rest.

Currently the best treatment for COPD is Pfizer's Spiriva. COPD is also called - Smoker's lung, which is caused by cigarette smoke and other harmful fumes which is characterized by a continues blockade of airflow in the lungs which results in breathlessness.

Novartis has plans of using QAB149 just as it is and also by combining treatments with other lung medicines. It is also at the reviewing stage for approval in Europe and United States.

Smoker's lung is a growing and debilitating disease that affects 210 million people worldwide claims, Novartis Says.