GSK is set to present extensive data from its respiratory medicine portfolio at the upcoming American Thoracic Society (ATS) International Congress in San Francisco from May 16-21, 2025. The pharmaceutical giant will showcase 43 abstracts, including four late-breaking submissions, focusing on advancements in the prevention and treatment of respiratory conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
New Insights from MATINEE Trial for COPD Patients
Recently published in The New England Journal of Medicine, the MATINEE phase III trial evaluated mepolizumab in patients with COPD and type 2 inflammation, characterized by elevated blood eosinophil counts. The trial included patients across the severity spectrum, including the most difficult-to-treat cases as categorized by Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) guidelines.
New sub-analyses from MATINEE expand the evidence base by examining COPD exacerbation rates, including those leading to emergency department visits and hospitalizations. These analyses specifically assessed key patient subgroups, including:
- Patients with cardiovascular comorbidities
- Individuals with varying severities of airflow obstruction
- Patients with chronic bronchitis, emphysema-only, or both conditions
Additionally, GSK will present an analysis exploring the relationship between severe exacerbation risk and healthcare burden in COPD patients, potentially offering new insights into optimizing care pathways.
Depemokimab's Twice-Yearly Dosing Shows Promise in Asthma
The SWIFT-1 and SWIFT-2 phase III trials assessed the efficacy and safety of depemokimab administered twice yearly in asthma patients with type 2 inflammation. New post hoc analyses from these trials demonstrate improvements in exacerbation rates and quality of life in patients with uncontrolled symptoms.
A pooled assessment highlights how sustained suppression of type 2 inflammation leads to improvements in overall health and reduced exacerbation risk. Further analyses explored geographical variations in asthma exacerbation rates, with particular focus on China, where patients lacked access to respiratory biologics during the trial period.
In a groundbreaking late-breaking session, GSK will present what they describe as a "first of its kind" real-world study evaluating the relationship between biologic adherence and clinical outcomes, specifically examining exacerbations and oral corticosteroid use.
Advancing Solutions for Complex Respiratory Challenges
Beyond asthma and COPD, GSK continues to pursue innovations across the respiratory medicine spectrum:
- New analyses supporting the development of camlipixant for refractory chronic cough (RCC), including a model-based dose-response meta-analysis evaluating reduction in taste disturbance side effects common to the P2X3 inhibitor class
- A real-world European cohort study assessing clinical remission in severe asthma patients treated with mepolizumab
- Environmental impact data comparing carbon footprints of salbutamol (albuterol in US) delivery systems, including current metered dose inhalers (MDIs), potential future MDIs with next-generation propellants, and dry powder inhalers (DPIs)
Mepolizumab and Depemokimab: Targeting IL-5 in Type 2 Inflammation
Mepolizumab, a monoclonal antibody targeting interleukin-5 (IL-5), has been developed for various IL-5 mediated diseases associated with type 2 inflammation. While currently approved in the US and Europe for four IL-5 mediated conditions, it is not yet approved for COPD treatment in any country. Regulatory submissions are under review globally, with the US FDA providing a PDUFA date of May 7, 2025.
Depemokimab represents the next generation of IL-5 targeting therapy, distinguished as the first ultra-long-acting biologic evaluated in phase III trials for asthma with type 2 inflammation and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps. Its extended half-life, high-binding affinity, and potency support a six-month (26-week) dosing regimen, potentially transforming treatment adherence.
The phase III program for depemokimab also includes evaluation in other IL-5 mediated diseases, including eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) and hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES). Results from the SWIFT-1 and SWIFT-2 trials have been published in The New England Journal of Medicine, while the ANCHOR-1 and ANCHOR-2 trials for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps have appeared in The Lancet.
Depemokimab remains investigational and is not yet approved in any country, though regulatory submissions are under review in the US, China, Japan, and the EU.
GSK's Respiratory Medicine Legacy and Future Direction
GSK continues to build on decades of pioneering work in respiratory medicine, with an industry-leading portfolio and pipeline spanning vaccines, targeted biologics, and inhaled medicines. The company aims to improve outcomes for hundreds of millions of people living with respiratory diseases, including asthma, COPD, refractory chronic cough, and rarer conditions like systemic sclerosis with interstitial lung disease.
By leveraging cutting-edge science and technology, GSK is working to modify underlying disease dysfunction and prevent progression, potentially redefining the future of respiratory medicine and patient care worldwide.
