Heating up the airways

Asthmatx Inc. believes its Alair bronchial thermoplasty system will significantly improve quality of life for patients with severe asthma who are not adequately served by drugs. If successful, the treatment would be added on to standard therapies like inhaled corticosteroids and bronchodilators and would compete with late-stage treatments like oral steroids and Xolair omalizumab.

A PMA is under review at FDA for the device to treat adults with severe asthma, with an advisory committee meeting expected this year. The MDUFMA date is not disclosed...