Investigators for Novartis said that two studies for their smoker's cough drug--NVA237--turned in promising data for improving patients' ability to breathe, setting the stage for a regulatory filing in Europe. "These results illustrate the potential benefits of NVA237 for COPD patients," said David Epstein, division head of Novartis Pharmaceuticals. "[The results] are especially encouraging as we move ahead with plans to develop a fixed-dose combination with Onbrez Breezhaler." Story