AstraZeneca (LON:AZN) has received the first regulatory approval for a drug from its respiratory pipeline in the form of Fasenra for severe asthma.
The US Food & Drug Administration gave the green light overnight to treat sufferers over the age of 12.
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Chief executive Pascal Soriot said it was “the latest in a series of significant milestones for our company as we deliver on our pipeline-driven transformation”.
Asthma affects 315mln people worldwide, and up to 10% of patients have a severe and potentially fatal form of the condition.
Doctors currently prescribe steriods
Doctors currently prescribe oral corticosteroids (OCS). However using them can lead to dependence, while the drugs may also induce weight gain, diabetes, osteoporosis, glaucoma, anxiety, depression, cardiovascular disease and immunosuppression.
Administering Fasenra in phase III trials led to a 75% reduction in daily OCS use and discontinuation of OCS drugs in 52% of patients.
The AZ drug was developed by MedImmune, its US biotech arm.
The shares were up 1.2% in early trade at £50.23.