A Study of the Effect of FTY720 on Pulmonary Function in Patients With Moderate Asthma

A Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo-controlled, Parallel, Time-lagged, Ascending, Multi-centre, Multiple-dose Study to Measure the Magnitude and Time Course of the Effect of FTY720 on FEV1 and Other Pulmonary Function Tests (FVC, FEF25-75%, and FEV1/FVC) in Patients With Moderate Asthma

This study will evaluate the effect of FTY720 on the lung function of patients with moderate asthma

Inclusion Criteria:

• Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second of at least 60%
• History of asthma for at least 6 months
• Current use of short-acting beta agonists, inhaled long-acting beta agonists and inhaled corticosteroids (up to a specified dose)

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of lung disease other than asthma
• Smokers
• Use of inhaled corticosteroid above specified dose
• Use of oral beta agonists or corticosteroids or other asthma medications
• Hypersensitivity to the drug
• Respiratory tract infections within 1 month of the study

Other protocol-defined inclusion/exclusion criteria may apply