This study aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of QAW039 150 mg and QAW039 450 mg, compared with placebo, when added to GINA (Global Initiative for Asthma) steps 4 and 5 standard-of- care (SoC) asthma therapy (GINA 2016) in the following two populations: * patient with inadequately controlled severe asthma and high eosinophil counts at baseline (eosinophil count at Visit 1 ≥250 cells/ µl) (sub-population) * patients with inadequately controlled severe asthma (overall study population) Inadequate control is defined as partly controlled or uncontrolled asthma (GINA 2016).
This study used a randomized, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel-group design in which QAW039 150 mg or QA039 450 mg or placebo was added to standard of care, GINA steps 4 and 5 asthma therapy. The study included: * Screening period of up to 2 weeks to assess eligibility; * Run-in period of approximately 2 weeks and a maximum of 6 weeks on placebo to collect baseline data for efficacy variables and compliance with the Electronic Peak Flow/ eDiary device. Upon completion of the run-in period, all patients who met the eligibility criteria were randomized to one of three treatments: QAW039 150 mg or QAW039 450 mg or placebo once daily in a ratio of 1:1:1. * Treatment period of 52 weeks (assessment period for all Primary and Secondary Outcome Measures). Clinic visits were scheduled approximately 4 weeks after randomization and then at approximately 8-week intervals during the active-treatment period. Phone calls occurred at specified time points between visits occurring at 8-week intervals. Patients who had successfully completed 52 weeks of treatment in this study were offered an optional participation in a safety study (CQAW039A2315). * Follow-up period of 4 weeks, investigational and drug-free, following the last dose of study drug. A follow-up visit occurred approximately 4 weeks (i.e., approximately 30 days) following the last dose of study therapy to complete safety assessments and pregnancy testing (if applicable). the follow-up period applied to all patients except those patients who had entered the safety study (CQAW039A2315) directly after the Week 52 study visit.
QAW039 150 mg once daily
QAW039 450 mg once daily
Placebo once daily
CABA, Buenos Aires, Argentina
San Miguel de Tucumán, Tucumán Province, Argentina
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Ciudad Autonoma de Bs As, Argentina