GSK Accelerates Introduction of Innovative Targeted Therapies for Asthma in China

From November 5th to 10th, 2023, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) showcased multiple products at the 6th China International Import Expo (hereinafter referred to as "CIIE"), comprehensively displaying innovative achievements and medical resources in the fields of vaccines, specialty medicines, HIV, respiratory, and core prescription drugs.

Shen Huahao, Director of the Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhang Min, Director of the Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine at the First People's Hospital of Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Zhou Min, Deputy Director of the Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine at Ruijin Hospital affiliated with Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Qi Xin, Vice President and General Manager of GSK China, and Yu Jin Yi, Vice President and Head of Specialty and Respiratory Business, gathered at the media communication event. They exchanged insights and shared practical experiences on improving the comprehensive prevention and treatment level of asthma in China and conducted an in-depth discussion on the topic of full-course management throughout the patient’s life cycle.

GSK Media Briefing Guests Photo

  Poor Overall Control of Asthma Calls for Urgent Improvement in Chronic Disease Prevention and Management

In China, the population of asthma patients is large and the disease burden is heavy.

Shen Huahao stated that in recent years, the prevalence and disability rates of asthma in China have rapidly increased, with a significant rise in the total number of patients. Among them, one-third of asthma patients do not exhibit wheezing symptoms, belonging to atypical asthma types such as cough-variant asthma and chest tightness-variant asthma. Due to their hidden clinical manifestations, these patients experience high rates of missed diagnoses and misdiagnoses, posing greater risks. We must emphasize early diagnosis and treatment of asthma. Most asthma patients can achieve good control through the use of inhaled corticosteroids combined with bronchodilators, preventing the progression to severe asthma. However, for severe asthma, data shows that even with good adherence, 74.5% of patients still cannot achieve adequate control, facing a significant treatment gap and unmet needs. In recent years, with deeper understanding of the disease, groundbreaking achievements have been made in understanding the pathogenesis of asthma and targeted therapies. We look forward to seeing the greater potential of targeted treatments in China, bringing new hope to patients with severe asthma.

Zhang Min stated that the 2023 Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) further clarified the definition of severe asthma, drawing more attention to severe asthma while provoking deeper reflection. Asthma caused by elevated eosinophils is the most common type in severe asthma cases. Eosinophils are key inflammatory effector cells in this type of asthma, especially acting as a “warning” sign in severe asthma with higher frequency of acute exacerbations, providing meaningful indications for both patients and clinicians. Clinical studies have confirmed that targeted biologic therapies against eosinophils can effectively reduce the risk of acute exacerbations in these severe asthma patients, improve lung function, thereby decreasing disease burden and physical and mental strain.

Zhou Min pointed out that asthma is mainly characterized by chest tightness, shortness of breath, paroxysmal cough accompanied by breathing difficulties, and severe episodes can worsen breathing difficulties and endanger life. Mild to moderate asthma focuses on timely diagnosis, effective treatment, and standardized management, while severe asthma emphasizes controlling the condition and reducing asthma-related mortality. Eosinophils in peripheral blood are key inflammatory effector cells in asthma, serving as an important basis for determining clinical phenotypes of asthma and as one of the indicators for further evaluating the effectiveness of anti-inflammatory treatment. Clinicians should regard it as an important examination index to formulate precise treatment plans for asthma patients.

  Accelerate the Introduction of Innovative Treatment Solutions, Fully Safeguard Respiratory Well-being

In recent years, thanks to the joint efforts of all sectors of society, gratifying progress has been made in the comprehensive prevention and treatment of chronic respiratory diseases in China. The successive introduction of innovative drugs has changed the treatment landscape for chronic respiratory and immune system diseases. As an important part of the prevention and treatment ecosystem, GSK continues to explore and accelerate the introduction of innovative treatment solutions, actively promoting the registration applications for new indications, thereby contributing to the rapid and high-quality development of China's respiratory treatment field.

Qi Xin stated that providing comprehensive maintenance treatment for patients with respiratory diseases cannot be achieved without close cooperation among the government, enterprises, academia, and the media. GSK is willing to join hands with all sectors of society to fully leverage its R&D advantages, accelerate the transformation of innovative achievements, and build a rich product pipeline ranging from vaccines, inhaled formulations to biologics. At the same time, we will do our utmost to enhance the accessibility of innovative treatment solutions, effectively meeting the treatment needs of a wide range of patients in China.

In November 2021, after its debut at the fourth CIIE, Nucala was approved in China and launched the following year for the treatment of adult patients with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis. To comprehensively improve the treatment status, disease burden, and phenotypic characteristics of severe asthma patients in China, GSK has initiated a study on the characteristics and disease burden of Chinese patients with severe asthma (CORE study). This will provide a basis for targeted personalized treatment of severe asthma in China, helping Chinese patients achieve better disease management, improve their quality of life, and reduce the disease burden on individuals and society. Currently, the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) of China has accepted the registration application for the severe eosinophilic asthma indication of Nucala. It is hoped that this innovative therapy will soon benefit Chinese SEA patients.

Yu Jinyi stated that Nucala has completed the transformation from "exhibit to product, debut to first use" on the CIIE stage. The successful application of Nucala in treating Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (EGPA) by reducing eosinophil levels suggests that this biologic may become a new targeted treatment option for a range of inflammatory diseases caused by eosinophilia. This is precisely the direction of our exploration into Nucala's future potential, hoping to bring innovative, safe, and effective precision treatment options to more Chinese patients suffering from inflammatory diseases caused by eosinophilia. Meanwhile, we are actively exploring long-acting targeted biologics to address unmet patient needs, further enhancing long-term compliance, and bringing more health benefits to patients.