TY - JOUR T1 - Emerging inhaled bronchodilators: an update JF - European Respiratory Journal JO - Eur Respir J SP - 757 LP - 769 DO - 10.1183/09031936.00013109 VL - 34 IS - 3 AU - M. Cazzola AU - M. G. Matera Y1 - 2009/09/01 UR - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/34/3/757.abstract N2 - Bronchodilators remain central to the symptomatic management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma, and, for this reason and also because the patent protection of many bronchodilators has expired, several companies have reinitiated research into the field. The only limits set for the development of a long-lasting bronchodilator with a new product profile are medical needs and marketing opportunities. The incorporation of once-daily dose administration is an important strategy for improving adherence and is a regimen preferred by most patients. A variety of β2-agonists and antimuscarinic agents with longer half-lives and inhalers containing a combination of several classes of long-acting bronchodilator are currently under development. The present article reviews all of the most important compounds under development, describing what has been done and discussing their genuine advantage. ER -