A Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of QMF149 (Indacaterol Acetate/Mometasone Furoate) Versus Budesonide in Children From 6 to Less Than 12 Years of Age With Asthma

Inclusion Criteria 1. Male or female children ≥ 6 years and \<12 years in age at randomization. 2. Parents/legal guardian must be willing and able to attend study visits and assist the child with the procedures outlined in the protocol (e.g. compliance with taking study medication and completing the diary) ((≥ 70% during the last 14 days of the Run-in period)). 3. Confirmed/documented diagnosis of asthma, as defined by national or international asthma guidelines for at least 12 months prior to study enrollment. 4. Written and signed informed consent by parent(s)/legal guardian(s) for the pediatric patient and assent by the pediatric patient (depending on local requirements) must be obtained before any study-specific assessment is performed. 5. Patient receiving daily treatment of stable low dose ICS alone (i.e. up to 100ug daily dose of fluticasone propionate DPI or equivalent) without additional controller OR low dose ICS (up to 100ug daily dose of fluticasone propionate DPI or equivalent) with one additional controller prior to starting run-in and eligible after run-in on mono ICS alone (fluticasone 100ug/day) for at least 3 weeks (run-in period) prior to randomization. 6. All patients must be symptomatic at randomization (Visit 30), as defined by ACQ-IA≥1.5. Patients previously on low dose ICS may be included for run-in only if ACQ-IA score ≥1.5 at Visit 20 and will be randomized if ACQ-IA score ≥1.5 at Visit 30. Patients previously on low dose ICS with one controller may do the wash out of the controller before the start of run-in and be included for run-in only if ACQ-IA score ≥ 1 and \<1.5 at Visit 20 and will be randomized if ACQ-IA score ≥1.5 at Visit 30. 7. Pre-Bronchodilator FEV1 ≥50% of predicted normal at start of Run-in (Visit 20) and end of Run-in (Visit 30). Withholding period of bronchodilators prior to spirometry at all time: SABA for ≥ 6 hours. For loose combinations of ICS/LABA\* a wash-out of ≥ 48 hours before Visit 20 is required (14 days for once daily combinations, i.e. indacaterol), short acting anticholinergic (SAMA) for ≥ 8 hours and xanthines ≥7 days. \* In case of combination ICS/LABA at screening, ICS alone should be continued. Wash-out period of each drug should be adhered to as above and should not be longer. If wash-out period is considered to be longer, please contact the Novartis Medical Monitor. A one-time repeat of percent predicted FEV1 (pre-bronchodilator FEV1) within 5 days of the Visit is allowed at Visit 20 as well as Visit 30. That would provide sufficient time to receive confirmation from the spirometry data central reviewer of the validity of the assessment. At Visit 20, the Run-in medication should be dispensed only once the repeat spirometry was qualified, and if all inclusion criteria at Visit 20 are successfully met. If patient fails to meet the pre FEV1 criteria for technical reasons, a rescreen is allowed once and in this circumstance, patients are not required to go back on prior medication (low dose ICS with or without controller) for the full 4 weeks duration and the rescreen can be scheduled at site's convenience. In this case all assessments must be done according to protocol's requirements. 8. FEV1 bronchodilator responsiveness testing using up to 4 puffs of SABA (up to 400μg salbutamol or 360μg albuterol) at Run-in Visit (Visit 20): increase \> and/or = 12% (performed according to ATS/ERS 2019 guidelines). All patients must perform a bronchodilator responsiveness test at start of Run-in. If responsiveness is not demonstrated at Run-in, it may be repeated once on the same day. If responsiveness is still not demonstrated after repeat, documentation of historical reversibility is accepted. If not available patients must be screen failed. Spacers may be used for bronchodilator responsiveness testing. 9. Demonstrate acceptable inhaler use technique with Breezhaler® at randomization, as well as acceptable use of other study devices and be able to complete spirometry procedures. 10. A parent/legal guardian is to complete all e-Diary entries and attend all clinic visits with the patient. It is recommended, if possible, to have the same parent/legal guardian to complete the e-diary entries and attend clinic visits with the patient. 11. Have a documented negative COVID-19 test (validated PCR or antigenic test)) within 3 days prior to randomization visit. 12. For optional Pharmacokinetics (PK) analysis: Participants willing to participate in the optional PK analysis will need to weigh at least 25 kg at screening. Exclusion Criteria Participants meeting any of the following criteria are not eligible for inclusion in this study. 1. Prior intubation for asthma. 2. Patients who have had a severe asthma exacerbation requiring in the previous month either systemic steroids or hospitalization due to asthma (\>24h) or emergency room visit (≤24 hours). 3. Subjects receiving any medications in the classes specified in Table 6 6 unless they undergo the required washout period prior to Treatment Visit (Day 1) and follow the adjustment through the treatment period. 4. Use of other investigational drugs within 5 half-lives of enrollment, or within 30 days, whichever is longer. 5. History of malignancy of any organ system (other than localized basal cell carcinoma of the skin or in situ cervical cancer), treated or untreated, within the past 5 years prior to screening, regardless of whether there is evidence of local recurrence or metastases. 6. History or presence of impaired renal function as indicated by clinically significant abnormal creatinine or blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and/or urea values, or abnormal urinary constituents (e.g. albuminuria) according to investigator's judgement. * Evidence of urinary obstruction, or difficulty in voiding * Evidence of congenital renal abnormalities with an established effect on renal function * Calculated eGFR \<60 mL/min/1.73m2 using the Bedside Schwartz formula. 7. Patients who