Tezspire by AstraZeneca and Amgen succeeds in rhinosinusitis study

Tezspire (tezepelumab-ekko), developed by AstraZeneca and Amgen, has achieved a significant milestone in the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) with its recent Phase III study success. Although the drug's next major target is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), this achievement marks an important step forward for Tezspire.

The WAYPOINT trial involved randomizing adults with severe CRSwNP to receive either Tezspire or a placebo through subcutaneous injections over a 52-week period. The main goals of the study were to measure changes from the baseline in the size of nasal polyps, assessed by the endoscopic total Nasal Polyp Score, and changes from the baseline in nasal congestion, measured using the participant-reported Nasal Congestion Score, part of the daily Nasal Polyposis Symptom Diary.

The top-line results from the study revealed that Tezspire significantly reduced the size of nasal polyps and alleviated nasal congestion compared to the placebo. Sharon Barr, AstraZeneca's EVP of biopharmaceuticals R&D, expressed enthusiasm about the positive outcomes, stating that Tezspire's unique mode of action, targeting TSLP at the top of the inflammatory cascade, effectively addresses the multiple drivers of epithelial-driven inflammatory diseases.

Currently, Tezspire is approved in the US and the EU for the add-on maintenance treatment of patients aged 12 years and older with severe asthma. Additionally, Phase III studies are ongoing for its use in eosinophilic esophagitis, and plans are in place to explore its potential for treating COPD.

In related news, GSK recently reported the success of its monoclonal antibody depemokimab, an ultra-long-acting IL-5 inhibitor, in Phase III trials involving adults with CRSwNP. Known as GSK3511294, this therapy aims to reduce the frequency of clinic visits and lower the risk of inflammation recurrence by enabling biannual dosing through its extended half-life.

Overall, the recent successes of Tezspire and depemokimab in Phase III trials signal promising advancements in the treatment of CRSwNP. These developments highlight the potential of monoclonal antibodies to address various inflammatory diseases, providing new hope for patients suffering from these chronic conditions.