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New drug shows promise in reducing COPD symptoms in former and current smokers, clinical trials show
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Key Points:
- AstraZeneca's drug tozorakimab, a monoclonal antibody targeting interleukin-33, showed significant reduction in COPD exacerbations by 29% to 34% in clinical trials involving former and current smokers.
- The medication is the first biologic to demonstrate efficacy across a broad range of blood eosinophil counts, potentially benefiting COPD patients with lower eosinophil levels who currently have limited treatment options.
- Tozorakimab was well-tolerated with minimal side effects aside from injection site reactions, and has been granted priority review by the FDA for use as an add-on maintenance therapy in adults with COPD.
- COPD affects nearly 16 million U.S. adults and remains a leading cause of death, with tobacco smoke being the primary cause; current treatments focus on inhalers and lifestyle changes, but no cure exists.
- AstraZeneca plans further investigations of tozorakimab for asthma and lower respiratory tract diseases, aiming to bring this novel anti-inflammatory treatment to patients swiftly following FDA review.
