What's Happening?
The National Health Service (NHS) in England is set to provide access to Dupixent, a biologic treatment developed by Sanofi and Regeneron, for nearly 30,000 patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This decision follows the
recommendation by the health technology assessment agency NICE, which approved Dupixent as an add-on maintenance treatment for adults with uncontrolled COPD characterized by elevated blood eosinophils. Dupixent, an IL-4 and IL-13 inhibitor, was approved in the UK in September 2024 and marks the first targeted therapy for COPD in over a decade. The treatment is self-administered bi-weekly and has shown in clinical trials to reduce COPD flare-ups by approximately 30%, while also alleviating symptoms such as breathlessness and improving lung function scores.
Why It's Important?
The introduction of Dupixent as a treatment option for COPD patients is significant as it addresses a critical gap in the management of this progressive lung disease. COPD is the third leading cause of death globally, with over three million fatalities annually, and it severely impacts patients' quality of life. The availability of a targeted treatment like Dupixent could potentially reduce the frequency of severe exacerbations, which often require hospitalization and can lead to serious side effects from steroid treatments. NICE estimates that if half of the eligible COPD population in the UK were treated with Dupixent, it could prevent approximately 3,600 COPD attacks annually, saving the NHS around £16.5 million per year. This development represents a major milestone in COPD care, offering hope for improved patient outcomes and reduced healthcare costs.
What's Next?
Following the final guidance from NICE, the NHS will begin prescribing Dupixent to eligible COPD patients. The focus will now shift to ensuring that all patients who could benefit from this treatment have access to it. Additionally, there is a need to enhance overall COPD care to complement the introduction of Dupixent. The approval of similar treatments, such as GSK's Nucala for eosinophilic COPD, indicates a growing interest in targeted therapies for respiratory diseases. Stakeholders, including patient organizations like Asthma + Lung UK, are likely to advocate for broader access and continued innovation in COPD treatment options.
