AstraZeneca is set to present extensive clinical and real-world data across its respiratory portfolio at the upcoming American Thoracic Society (ATS) International Conference in San Francisco from May 16-21, 2025. With more than 75 abstracts, including eight late-breakers, the pharmaceutical giant continues to advance innovative treatments for respiratory conditions affecting hundreds of millions worldwide.
"With asthma and COPD affecting hundreds of millions of people – and COPD now the third leading cause of death worldwide – our portfolio of inhaled and biologic medicines is central to achieving our bold ambition to transform respiratory care," said Ruud Dobber, Executive Vice President and President, BioPharmaceuticals Business Unit, AstraZeneca.
Transforming Asthma Rescue Treatment
A key highlight will be data from the BATURA Phase IIIb trial exploring Airsupra (albuterol/budesonide), a first-in-class SABA/ICS rescue treatment. The prespecified analysis examines how as-needed Airsupra compares with albuterol alone in reducing cumulative exposure to systemic corticosteroids in people with mild asthma.
Sharon Barr, Executive Vice President, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, expressed particular excitement about these results, noting their potential to "transform rescue treatment in asthma."
Additional Airsupra data includes a MANDALA Phase III post-hoc analysis exploring time-to-first severe exacerbation and annualized exacerbation rates in the first three months post-treatment initiation versus albuterol alone. The GRANITE study will present baseline characteristics of early Airsupra users from a US claims database.
This research addresses a critical gap in asthma care. While many patients use short-acting beta agonists (SABAs) like albuterol as rescue medication, these treatments alone don't address underlying inflammation, leaving patients vulnerable to severe exacerbations. International guidelines from the Global Initiative for Asthma no longer recommend SABA alone as preferred rescue therapy.
Advancing COPD Treatment and Understanding Cardiopulmonary Risk
For COPD patients, AstraZeneca will present data on Breztri (budesonide/glycopyrrolate/formoterol fumarate), an inhaled triple therapy. The ETHOS Phase III post-hoc analysis explores the number needed to treat across cardiopulmonary endpoints compared to dual therapy in patients with moderate-to-very severe COPD.
Particularly noteworthy are the late-breaking MITOS EROS+CP studies, which investigate whether prompt initiation of Breztri after a COPD exacerbation reduces subsequent exacerbations and cardiopulmonary events compared to delayed initiation strategies. This research is crucial given that approximately one in five COPD patients dies within a year of their first hospitalization for an exacerbation.
A first-of-its-kind functional respiratory imaging study will assess Breztri's lung deposition profile in patients with COPD and concomitant asthma who have persistent airflow limitation.
Biologics for Inflammatory Conditions
The company will also showcase data from its biologics portfolio, including:
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Fasenra (benralizumab): Two-year efficacy and safety data for treating eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) from the MANDARA open label extension, exploring remission rates with switch from mepolizumab to Fasenra and impact on oral corticosteroid sparing.
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Tezspire (tezepelumab): The WAYFINDER Phase IIIb study evaluating Tezspire's impact on oral corticosteroid use in OCS-dependent patients with severe asthma, plus a WAYPOINT sub-analysis on its effects in adults with severe chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps.
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Tozorakimab: Results from the FRONTIER Phase II program across asthma and COPD exploring this anti-IL-33 monoclonal antibody's safety profile.
Early-Stage Pipeline and AI Applications
AstraZeneca is also highlighting its early-stage pipeline and artificial intelligence applications:
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The GREAT-2 Phase II trial evaluating gremubamab (MEDI3902) in patients with bronchiectasis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa colonization.
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Pre-clinical data on AZD6793, a novel IRAK4 inhibitor targeting multiple disease-relevant pathways in COPD.
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Deep learning-based studies utilizing machine learning to predict disease progression in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and COPD.
Disease Burden and Unmet Needs
The presentations address significant global health challenges. Asthma affects approximately 262 million people worldwide, including over 25 million in the US. Despite available treatments, many patients remain uncontrolled, experiencing frequent exacerbations that significantly impact quality of life.
COPD, affecting an estimated 391 million people globally, is now the third leading cause of death worldwide. The disease elevates the risk of both lung and heart events, with pulmonary and cardiac events being key drivers of mortality.
EGPA, a rare inflammatory disease affecting an estimated 118,000 people worldwide, can damage multiple organs and may be fatal without treatment. Almost half of patients don't achieve remission with current treatments.
Through this comprehensive research program, AstraZeneca continues to pursue its ambition to deliver life-changing medicines that help eliminate COPD as a leading cause of death, eliminate asthma attacks, and achieve clinical remission in immune-mediated diseases.
