GlaxoSmithKline receives European regulatory approval for Nucala

GlaxoSmithKline has announced that its new treatment for severe asthma, Nucala, has been approved in Europe.

The European Commission has granted marketing authorisation for Nucala as an add-on treatment for severe refractory eosinophilic asthma in adult patients, approving it for use in 31 countries.

Nucala is the first and only approved biologic therapy that targets interleukin-5 (IL-5), which plays an important role in regulating the function of eosinophils, an inflammatory cell known to be crucial in asthma.

Severe refractory eosinophilic asthma patients often struggle to control their condition despite taking high doses of inhaled medications, with many also taking oral corticosteroids to control their symptoms, which can lead to side effects that are hard to deal with.

Eric Dube, senior vice-president and head of GlaxoSmithKline's global respiratory franchise, said: "We are proud that our work in this area, to better understand the specific role eosinophils play in severe asthma, has resulted in the licensing of mepolizumab as the first anti-IL-5 biological treatment."

This comes after the firm received EU approval last month for the expansion of Volibris' indication to include the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension.