NEW YORK (AP) — Nycomed said Friday a European Union regulatory panel recommended its lung disease drug Daxas be approved for sale.

Nycomed said the advisory panel recommended that the European Medicines Agency approve Daxas, a once-per-day tablet intended to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in adults. If the agency approves Daxas, Nycomed said it will start selling the drug later this year.

Daxas, or roflumilast, is intended for use in adult patients who are already using bronchodilator drugs to treat their disease. Bronchodilators are designed to open up the bronchial tubes in the lungs, making it easier for air to move in and out and helping clear mucus from the lungs.