Depemokimab Reduces Exacerbation in Eosinophilic Asthma

On Tuesday, September 10, 2024, a significant breakthrough in the treatment of severe asthma with an eosinophilic phenotype was reported. The findings, published online on September 9 in the New England Journal of Medicine, were timed to coincide with the European Respiratory Society Congress held from September 7 to 11 in Vienna.

The study, led by Dr. David J. Jackson of King's College London, focused on evaluating the efficacy and safety of depemokimab for patients suffering from severe asthma characterized by a high eosinophil count and a history of frequent exacerbations, despite the use of medium- or high-dose inhaled glucocorticoids. Participants in the study were divided into two groups across two clinical trials, SWIFT-1 and SWIFT-2, and were randomly assigned to receive either depemokimab (100 mg subcutaneously) or a placebo at the beginning and at week 26, in addition to their standard care. The trials included 502 participants in SWIFT-1 and 260 in SWIFT-2.

The results were promising. In the SWIFT-1 trial, the annualized rate of exacerbations for patients receiving depemokimab was 0.46 compared to 1.11 for those on the placebo. Similarly, in the SWIFT-2 trial, the exacerbation rate was 0.56 for the depemokimab group and 1.08 for the placebo group. This translates to rate ratios of 0.42 and 0.52 for SWIFT-1 and SWIFT-2, respectively, indicating a significant reduction in exacerbations for those treated with depemokimab.

Moreover, there was no significant difference between the groups in terms of the change from baseline in the scores on the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire, which measures the impact of respiratory diseases on overall health. Both groups also had a similar proportion of patients experiencing any adverse events, suggesting that depemokimab is not only effective but also safe.

The researchers concluded that administering depemokimab every six months significantly reduced the annualized rate of exacerbations in patients with severe asthma with an eosinophilic phenotype. This finding presents a potentially life-changing option for patients who suffer from this condition and have not found relief with current standard treatments.

It is noteworthy that two of the authors disclosed connections to GSK, the pharmaceutical company that funded the study. Nonetheless, the positive outcomes of this research highlight the potential of depemokimab as a substantial advancement in the management of severe eosinophilic asthma.

How to obtain the latest research advancements in the field of biopharmaceuticals?

In the Synapse database, you can keep abreast of the latest research and development advances in drugs, targets, indications, organizations, etc., anywhere and anytime, on a daily or weekly basis. Click on the image below to embark on a brand new journey of drug discovery!