Efficacy, Safety and Pharmacokinetics of QAV680 in Asthma Patients

Randomized, Double-blind, Two Way Cross-over, Proof of Concept Study to Compare Efficacy, Safety, Pharmacokinetics & Pharmacodynamics of QAV680 Versus Placebo, With an Extended Open-label Corticosteroid Period, in Steroid-free, Mild to Moderate Persistent Asthma Patients.

This study aims to study the efficacy (as measured by change in FEV1) and safety of two-week administration of oral QAV680 in the treatment of patients with asthma.'

Inclusion criteria:

• Mild to moderate persistent asthma for at least 6 months.

Exclusion criteria:

• Past or recent history of significant medical illness and/or lab abnormalities including but not limited to ECG abnormalities, abnormal LFT, HIV, Hep B/C,
• Allergic disorders, pancreatic disease, serious underlying respiratory diseases, life threatening asthma, renal disease etc
• Surgical and/or medical conditions which significantly effect ADME of the drug.
• Prior use of asthma medications (except SABA's) prior to 2 weeks of dosing

Other protocol-defined inclusion/exclusion criteria may apply