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GSK wins US approval for twice-yearly asthma drug
Exdensur cuts severe eosinophilic asthma exacerbations by up to 58% with twice-yearly dosing, offering a less frequent treatment option for patients aged 12 and older.
On Tuesday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Exdensur as an add-on maintenance treatment for severe asthma characterised by an eosinophilic phenotype in patients aged 12 years and older, with GSK plc commercializing the product.
Following the EMA committee's positive opinion, the UK's MHRA cleared Exdensur for asthma and CRSwNP, while the FDA approved only severe asthma, creating regulatory divergence.
SWIFT-1 and SWIFT-2 phase 3 trials show depemokimab reduced annualized exacerbation rates by 58% and 48% and led to fewer hospital and emergency room exacerbations versus placebo control.
With a planned U.S. launch in early 2026, GSK expects to enter a competitive biologics market and predicts peak sales of $4 billion and $3.7 billion across indications.
The drug's twice-yearly schedule, enabled by Exdensur’s ultra-long-acting IL‑5 antibody, may increase willingness among about 2 million Americans with severe asthma, 80% having eosinophilic phenotype.