A recent trial showed that nearly 60% of patients using Fasenra reached remission. The European Commission has approved Fasenra, a treatment by AstraZeneca, as an additional therapy for adults with a rare condition known as eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA), formerly called Churg-Strauss syndrome. This makes Fasenra the second approved biological treatment for EGPA.
EGPA is a rare disease involving inflammation of blood vessels, potentially causing serious damage to multiple organs. It’s crucial to treat it promptly. Around half of the EGPA patients also have severe asthma and often suffer from sinus issues.
Fasenra stands out due to its convenient once-a-month injection. Previously effective for treating severe asthma, it now offers hope for people with EGPA in Europe.
The MANDARA Phase III study compared Fasenra with another drug, mepolizumab, in 140 patients. Participants received either a 30mg dose of Fasenra or three 100mg doses of mepolizumab every four weeks. The results were similar for both drugs, with nearly 60% reaching remission. Furthermore, 41% of Fasenra users were able to stop using oral steroids.
Fasenra is approved in over 80 countries, including the US, EU, and China.