GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has received approval from the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) for Encruse Ellipta (umeclidinium) for the relief of various symptoms due to airway obstruction with COPD.

Encruse is a long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA), a type of bronchodilator which can relax airway muscles and improve airflow in and out of the lungs. The drug has already been approved in the US and Canada under the trade name Incruse Ellipta.