Fevipiprant is in clinical development for the treatment of patients aged 12 years and older with uncontrolled asthma who remain symptomatic despite treatment with inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) with or without at least one additional controller. Whilst there is no cure for asthma, most patients are able to control their symptoms by taking daily preventative medication and additional controllers when required. However, a small subset of asthma patients are resistant to the current standard of care for asthma and are unable to control their symptoms. This can have severe implications on their quality of life as uncontrolled asthma can result in decreased physical fitness, decreased sleep quality and decreased productivity at work or school.
Fevipiprant is administered orally once daily. It works by preventing the binding of substances called prostaglandin to DP2 receptors on inflammatory cells therefore preventing the inflammatory response to triggers that result in an asthma attack. Fevipiprant is the first asthma drug to decrease the airway smooth muscle mass that is often excessive in the airways of patients with asthma. If licensed, fevipiprant will offer a new treatment option for patients with uncontrolled asthma.
Drugs
March 2020
Gefapixant for chronic refractory cough – First line
Gefapixant is an oral drug that blocks receptors in the sensory cells in the airways and lungs, potentially reducing cough frequency in patients with refractory or unexplained chronic cough. Preliminary results from early studies have demonstrated that gefapixant is efficacious and safe. If licenced, gefapixant could provide a treatment option for patients with refractory or unexplained cough who have no licensed therapies available and few effective therapies available.