0
0
November 27, 2024 – Biologic therapies are revolutionizing the treatment of severe asthma, offering the potential for remission rather than mere symptom management. However, cost and equitable access remain significant barriers, according to a report released Tuesday by GlobalData, a data and analytics firm.
Biologic therapies, also known as immunotherapies, involve the use of substances derived from living organisms to target specific inflammatory pathways in the body. This approach represents a shift from traditional asthma treatments, which primarily focus on symptom control.
The report highlights innovative treatments like dupilumab (an interleukin-4 receptor alpha inhibitor) and tezepelumab (targeting thymic stromal lymphopoietin), which have shown effectiveness across a range of inflammatory profiles. These therapies have demonstrated broad efficacy in real-world studies, particularly for patients with complex or severe asthma cases.
“Biologics have fundamentally changed our approach to severe asthma by enabling targeted, personalized treatment,” said Sravani Meka, Senior Pharmaceutical Analyst at GlobalData. “The long-term impact of these therapies could shift asthma management from simply controlling symptoms to achieving remission, similar to advancements in rheumatoid arthritis.”
Despite these promising developments, the report identifies cost, limited insurance coverage, and unequal access as significant obstacles. Patients in underserved communities often face additional challenges, including environmental factors like pollution, which can exacerbate asthma symptoms.
Meka emphasized the importance of systemic healthcare reforms to improve access to biologics. “Tezepelumab’s broad efficacy, even in patients with low eosinophil counts, highlights the potential of biologics to address asthma across diverse patient profiles and demographics,” she said.
The report calls for urgent attention to affordability and equitable healthcare solutions to ensure these transformative treatments reach all patients in need. Without such measures, the full potential of biologic therapies in revolutionizing asthma care may remain unrealized.
As efforts to expand access continue, stakeholders hope that biologics will pave the way for a new era in asthma management, offering hope to millions of patients worldwide.
