An innovative asthma treatment, requiring only two injections a year, has received marketing authorization in the United Kingdom. The pharmaceutical company GSK (GlaxoSmithKline) announced that the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has approved its new drug, depemokimab, which will be marketed under the brand name Exdensur. This groundbreaking therapy is designed to prevent life-threatening asthma attacks and is the first of its kind to offer ultra-long-acting relief.
The new biologic treatment aims to significantly reduce inflammation in the lungs, addressing the underlying causes of asthma. According to Kaivan Khavandi, Senior Vice President and Global Head of Respiratory, Immunology & Inflammation R&D at GSK, “Today’s UK approval of Exdensur, the first in the world, has the potential to redefine care for millions of patients.” Khavandi emphasized that this treatment could lead to a reduction in hospital visits and prevent cumulative lung damage, all with just two doses annually.
Significant Clinical Outcomes
Clinical trials involving 762 patients demonstrated promising results, showing that depemokimab reduced the incidence of clinically significant asthma exacerbations by 54 percent. Additionally, the drug cut hospital admissions due to asthma attacks by an impressive 72 percent. These statistics highlight the urgent need for effective treatment options, as the number of emergency hospital admissions for respiratory conditions has surged recently.
According to Asthma and Lung UK, there was a 23 percent increase in emergency hospital admissions for respiratory issues over the last two years. From April 2024 to March 2025, there were 2,268,865 emergency admissions for respiratory conditions in England, compared to 1,841,010 during the same period the previous year. This alarming trend underscores the need for innovative treatments like Exdensur.
Looking Ahead: Availability and Approval Process
The new treatment is set to be commercially available in the first half of 2026. Following its initial market release, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) will assess whether Exdensur will be included in the National Health Service (NHS) prescription list. This evaluation will be crucial for ensuring that patients can access this potentially life-saving treatment.
Julian Beach, interim Executive Director of Healthcare Quality and Access at MHRA, stated, “These conditions affect a significant number of people across the UK, and in some cases can be difficult to manage despite existing treatments.” Beach acknowledged that the approval of depemokimab offers a new treatment option for patients whose symptoms have not been adequately managed with current therapies.
As GSK prepares for additional regulatory decisions in other regions, including the United States, Japan, the European Union, and China, the hope is that this innovative drug will soon provide relief to asthma sufferers worldwide. The medical community is closely monitoring the safety and effectiveness of depemokimab as it enters the market, with the potential to transform the management of asthma and related respiratory conditions.
