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
December 2020
Treprostinil for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension
Treprostinil is in clinical development for patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). CTEPH is a progressive disease caused by blood clots forming in the lungs that do not dissolve. These clots restrict blood flow through the lungs and cause scar tissue to form on the inside of the pulmonary arteries (arteries that supply the lungs) resulting in pulmonary hypertension. This means the heart has to work harder to pump the blood and can weaken the heart muscles. Some patients may be offered surgery to remove the scar tissue but in patients who are inoperable or who have persistent/recurrent CTEPH after surgery there is a need for additional treatment options.