GlaxoSmithKline has recently announced their new approval of Nucala by the European Commission. This therapy has been approved for three new diseases, all of which are driven by eosinophils. Nucala is a monoclonal antibody which works to target IL-5.

This new approval is extremely noteworthy because it is the very first targeted therapy for eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA), or Churg-Strauss Syndrome. Additionally, it is the first IL-5 treatment for hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES), chronic rhinosinusitis, and nasal polyps for European patients.

EGPA & HES

EGPA and HES are rare diseases, and like many rare conditions, they have limited treatment options. Both conditions involve serious inflammation and corresponding serious symptoms.

EGPA impact the skin and the lungs most frequently but can also impact the kidneys, nerves, heart, and bowels. Symptoms include weight loss, fatigue, joint pain, and muscle pain. Standard treatment is corticosteroids or immunosuppressants. Unfortunately, these treatments have their own negative side effects, some of which can effect patients longterm.

HES symptoms include cardiac distress, fever, respiratory issues, malaise, and more. It is a progressive condition so patients become worse overtime. This rare disease can be life threatening.

Nucala is the only European Commission approved treatment for four different rare eosinophil based diseases. It was already approved as an add-on therapy for patients with severe eosinophilic asthma (SEA) who are at least 6 years of age.

You can read more about this new approval and what it could mean for these patient populations here.