Introduction

In an exciting breakthrough for asthma sufferers, AstraZeneca's injectable treatment, Fasenra, has been found to be significantly more effective during severe asthma attacks compared to the traditional oral steroid treatment that has dominated for the last 50 years. A recent study published on Wednesday highlights that Fasenra can reduce the need for additional treatments by an astonishing 30% during these critical episodes.

What is Fasenra?

Fasenra, known chemically as benralizumab, targets eosinophilic asthma—a severe form of the condition linked to specific white blood cells that contribute to lung inflammation. Initially approved by U.S. and EU regulators in 2017, it is designed for patients facing the most severe symptoms.

Study Overview

Conducted by researchers at King's College London, the study included 158 patients with a high risk of asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) attacks. Results showed that Fasenra outperformed the commonly prescribed oral corticosteroid, prednisolone, during acute asthma exacerbations—conditions characterized by wheezing, coughing, and chest tightness. While steroids like prednisolone are effective in reducing airway inflammation, they can also lead to significant side effects, making the need for safer alternatives crucial.

Impact of Exacerbations

Asthma and COPD exacerbations represent serious health threats, accounting for approximately 30% of COPD flare-ups and nearly 50% of asthma attacks. Alarmingly, these episodes often lead to repeated steroid treatments, hospitalizations, and, in the worst cases, fatalities within a matter of months.

Study Findings

The study's findings are promising: after just 28 days of treatment with benralizumab, participants reported significant improvements in respiratory symptoms. Moreover, after 90 days, there were four times fewer individuals in the Fasenra group who experienced treatment failures compared to those on standard care with prednisolone.

Potential for Emergency Use

What makes Fasenra particularly groundbreaking is its potential for use in emergency situations, whether in a hospital or possibly even at home, to mitigate the severity of life-threatening asthma attacks. Professor Mona Bafadhel, who led the research at King's College London, described this as a potential 'game-changer' for millions suffering from these chronic conditions.

Global Impact

Globally, asthma and COPD exacerbations result in nearly four million deaths each year. Despite this staggering figure, treatment options have remained largely unchanged for over 50 years, creating an urgent need for innovation.

Sales and Future Outlook

Fasenra’s success has translated into remarkable sales for AstraZeneca, making it the company's second-best-selling drug in the respiratory and immunology sector, with reported revenues of $436 million in the third quarter—an increase of 13% from the previous year.

Conclusion

This study, funded by the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca, was published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine journal. The global scientific and medical communities are now watching closely as this new treatment could reshape the future of asthma and COPD management, offering hope to countless individuals around the world. Stay tuned for more updates on this potential life-saving treatment!