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GSK PLC on Tuesday announced positive results from trials of depemokimab, an ‘ultra-long-acting biologic’ that could simplify treatment options for patients with severe asthma. The SWIFT-1 and SWIFT-2 clinical trials assessed the efficacy and safety profile of depemokimab in adults and adolescents with severe asthma and related inflammation. In both trials, depemokimab met its primary endpoints, including ‘statistically significant and clinically meaningful reductions’ in asthma attacks over a 52-week period versus a placebo. The treatment also demonstrated comparable safety-related incidents to the placebo. While depemokimab is currently not approved anywhere in the world, GSK said that the drug ‘has the potential to be the first approved ultra-long-acting biologic with a six-month dosing schedule for severe asthma’, which would simplify treatment options for patients. Kaivan Khavandi, global head of research & development for respiratory & immunology, said: ‘Depemokimab could offer the possibility of sustained inhibition of this pathway, with a dosing schedule of just two injections per year. This is important as research shows that 73% of physicians believe longer dosing intervals would be beneficial to patients who are often juggling multiple therapies.’ Shares in GSK were down 1.1% at 1,755.50 pence each in London on Tuesday morning. Copyright 2024 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
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