The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effect of CNTO6785 compared with placebo in participants with moderate to severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

This is a multi-center, randomized (study medication is assigned by chance), placebo-controlled (effect of the study medication will be compared with the effect of placebo [inactive substance]), double-blind (neither physician nor participant knows the treatment that the participant receives), parallel-group study (each group of participants will be treated at the same time). This study consists of 3 phases: a screening phase (within 3 weeks prior to the start of study medication), a treatment phase (12 weeks), and a follow-up phase (12 weeks after the last administration of study medication). Approximately 170 participants will be enrolled in this study to receive CNTO6785 or placebo in 1:1 ratio. Safety will be evaluated by the assessment of adverse events, vital signs, 12-lead electrocardiogram, physical examination, early detection of active tuberculosis, and clinical laboratory tests which will be monitored throughout the study. The total duration of study participation for a participant will be 30 weeks.

Inclusion criteria:

• Moderate to severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) (Grade II or Grade III according to the GOLD Guidelines) with chronic bronchitis (sputum production on most days for at least 12 weeks per year for at least 2 successive years) at screening
• Persistent COPD symptoms that required repeated (greater than 1) 'as needed' use of a short acting rescue medication within 4 weeks prior to screening
• Had at least 2 COPD exacerbations requiring antibiotics and/or systemic corticosteroids in the past 2 years OR able to spontaneously produce an adequate sputum sample within 3 to 6 weeks prior to the start of study medication
• Be a current or ex-smoker who has a smoking history of at least 10 pack years at screening
• Meet tuberculosis(TB) screening criteria as: no history of latent or active TB, no signs or symptoms suggestive of active TB, have not had recent (within 3 months) close contact with a person with active TB, and no evidence of current, active TB or old, inactive TB

Exclusion criteria:

• Pulmonary disease, such as asthma, clinically significant bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis, sarcoidosis, interstitial lung disorder, moderate or severe sleep apnea, or pulmonary hypertension at screening
• Has ever experienced life-threatening COPD, had a lung lobectomy, lung cancer surgery, lung volume reduction, or a lung transplant
• Requires oxygen therapy on a daily basis (greater than 12 hours/day) for chronic hypoxemia (inadequate level of oxygen in the blood) at screening
• Has received any live, attenuated viral or bacterial vaccines within 3 months prior to screening or is expected to receive any live attenuated vaccinations during the study or up to 6 months after the last administration of study medication
• Positive serology to human immunodeficiency virus 1 or 2, hepatitis B virus, or hepatitis C virus