A groundbreaking new treatment for asthma, which patients will only need to inject twice a year, has been given the green light for use in the United Kingdom.
Regulatory Approval for Ultra-Long-Acting Treatment
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has granted marketing authorisation for the drug depemokimab, developed by the pharmaceutical company GSK. It will be sold under the brand name Exdensur.
This ultra-long-acting biologic represents a first-of-its-kind approach to managing asthma, a condition that causes inflammation and narrowing of the airways in the lungs, making breathing difficult. Instead of daily inhalers or frequent injections, Exdensur requires just two doses per year to control the underlying inflammation.
Impressive Clinical Trial Results
The authorisation follows promising results from clinical trials. The research demonstrated that the treatment could achieve a 54 per cent reduction in clinically significant asthma attacks. Perhaps even more impactful was the data showing it cut hospital admissions related to asthma by 72 per cent.
Exdensur works by specifically targeting inflammation, which is a key driver of asthma symptoms. It is also indicated for patients with severe chronic rhinosinusitis, including cases where nasal polyps are present.
Availability and NHS Decision Pending
The new treatment is expected to become available privately in the UK during the first half of 2026. A crucial next step will be an assessment by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
NICE will evaluate the drug's cost-effectiveness to decide whether it should be prescribed routinely on the NHS. This process will determine if the "life-changing" treatment, as described by its developers, becomes accessible to a wider population of asthma sufferers across the country.
