Efficacy of Ciclesonide Versus Fluticasone Propionate in Patients With Mild to Moderate Asthma (12 to 75 y) (BY9010/M1-142)

Main Inclusion Criteria: * Outpatients * Written informed consent * History of bronchial asthma for at least 6 months * Good health with the exception of asthma * Treated with inhaled steroids with a maximum daily constant dosage of 250 mcg fluticasone propionate or equivalent * FEV1 80 - 105% of predicted Main Exclusion Criteria: * Concomitant severe diseases or diseases which are contraindications for the use of inhaled steroids * COPD (i.e. chronic bronchitis or emphysema) and/or other relevant lung diseases causing alternating impairment in lung function * Current smoking with more than 10 pack-years * Previous smoking with more than 10 pack-years * Use of systemic steroids 4 weeks (injectable depot steroids 6 weeks) before entry into the baseline period, or more than 2 times * Pregnancy * Intention to become pregnant during the course of the study * Breast feeding * Lack of safe contraception