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New COPD inhaler shows promise in large trial
NCT ID NCT06643078
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This Phase 3 study tested a new inhaler called HL231 in 487 Chinese adults with moderate to very severe COPD. Participants used either HL231 or the active comparator Ultibro once daily for 52 weeks. The main goal was to see if HL231 improved lung function (FEV1) after 26 weeks compared to Ultibro. Secondary goals included reducing COPD flare-ups and tracking safety over the full year.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- HL231 (a combination of indacaterol and glycopyrronium) as an inhaled solution
- What this could lead to
- If successful, HL231 could offer a new once-daily inhaled treatment option for people with moderate to severe COPD, potentially improving lung function and reducing flare-ups.
- What could go wrong
- This is a completed Phase 3 trial, but results are not yet published. The comparison is against an existing drug, so any advantage may be modest. Side effects and long-term safety are still being evaluated.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Phase 3
Large-scale testing in a bigger group. Usually the last step before a treatment can be approved.
- Participants
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487 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Dec 2023
- Finished
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Dec 2025
- Lead sponsor
-
A company
The lead sponsor is a pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical-device company.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
40 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Males and females of Chinese ethnicity, at least 40 years of age. 2. Patients with with a clinical diagnosis of moderate to severe COPD confirmed by spirometry according to according to GOLD criteria 2023. 3. Patients with a post-bronchodilator Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV1) \< 80% of the predicted normal value, and post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC (Forced Vital Capacity) \< 0.70 at visit 1. 4. Modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) grade of at least 2 at visit 1. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Patients with any of the following diseases:α-1 antitrypsin deficiency, asthma, active pulmonary tuberculosis, lung cancer, pulmonary edema, cystic fibrosis, obliterated bronchiolitis, sarcoidosis, or other diseases that the investigator considers to be at risk of safety/efficacy for the patient, e.g lung fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension, interstitial lung disorder, active bronchiectasis. 2. Patients with a history of serious cardiovascular disease; 3. Patients with Type I or uncontrolled Type II diabetes; 4. Patients with paradoxical bronchospasm, narrow-angle glaucoma, symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (benign prostatic hyperplasia patients who were stable on treatment could have been considered), bladder-neck obstruction, severe renal impairment, or urinary retention, or any other medical history, which, in the opinion of the investigator, would contraindicate the use of an anticholinergic agent; 5. Patients who have had hospitalized due to COPD or pneumonia within 8 weeks prior to screening (Visit 1) or screening. 6. Patients who have had an acute (viral or bacterial) upper or lower respiratory tract infection, sinusitis, pharyngitis or urinary tract infections within 4 weeks prior to screening (Visit 1) or screening. 7. Patients who have had a COPD exacerbation that required treatment with systemic steroids, hospitalization or emergency treatment in the 8 weeks prior to screening (Visit 1). 8. Patients with conditions contraindicated for treatment with or having a history of allergy or hypersensitivity to any of the following inhaled drugs, drugs of a similar class or any component thereof: Anticholinergic/muscarinic receptor antagonist, Long- or short-acting β2-agonists, Sympathomimetic amines, Lactose/milk proteins, or any of the other excipients of the delivery system. Other protocol-defined inclusion/exclusion criteria may apply.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital
Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, 200433, China
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West China Hospital of Sichuan University
Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
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