Summary of Research: Ensifentrine, a Novel Phosphodiesterase 3 and 4 Inhibitor for the Treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Multicenter Phase III Trials (the ENHANCE Trials)

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a lung disease that makes it hard to breathe and gets worse over time. People with COPD have damaged airways with swelling and increased mucus production. Ensifentrine is a novel agent that inhibits phosphodiesterase (PDE) 3 and PDE4, two enzymes that affect airway muscles, inflammation, and mucus removal from the lungs. This summary of research provides an overview of a previously published article on the results from the phase 3 ENHANCE trials, which studied the effect of ensifentrine in people with moderate to severe COPD who may have already been taking standard maintenance medications. Ensifentrine improved breathing, symptoms, and quality of life. It also reduced the rate and risk of flare-ups (called exacerbations) and was well tolerated. These results support the use of ensifentrine as an effective and well-tolerated treatment for people with COPD.