Tezepelumab, as an add-on to current therapy, is in clinical development for the treatment of children and adults over 12 years old, with severe, uncontrolled asthma. Asthma is a common lung condition that causes wheezing, coughing and breathlessness. Individuals with asthma can suffer an asthma attack, which in severe cases can be fatal. Patients with severe asthma have ongoing daily symptoms despite high-intensity asthma treatment. Therefore, there is need for personalised treatment strategies which include a need for biological therapies which can specifically target the cause of an individual’s asthma.
Tezepelumab is a monoclonal antibody (protein) that targets proteins early in the inflammatory cascade. By targeting proteins early in the inflammatory cascade, several downstream inflammatory proteins are suppressed, thereby decreasing inflammation. Tezepelumab given as an add-on-therapy to patients with severe uncontrolled asthma has been shown to be safe, well tolerated, and effective. Tezepelumab is administered subcutaneously. If licensed, tezepelumab as an add on therapy would offer an additional biological therapy to those over 12 years old, with severe 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.