Mepolizumab (Nucala), the World’s First Approved Anti-IL-5 Biologic, Debuts at the 4th China International Import Expo

Today, at the 4th China International Import Expo, Nucala (generic name: mepolizumab) made its official debut as the world’s first approved targeted human interleukin-5 (IL-5) antibody biologic, aiming to effectively provide Chinese patients and their families affected by eosinophil-driven inflammatory diseases with a new treatment option.

 

Qi Xin, General Manager of GSK China Prescription Medicines and Vaccines, stated: “The CIIE is an important platform for showcasing innovation, promoting openness, and fostering cooperation. GSK actively supports and deeply participates in the CIIE, consistently committed to introducing more innovative medicines to China and partnering with all sectors to jointly address the public's growing healthcare needs. This year, we will bring Nucala®, a flagship innovative product, to the expo. As the world’s first human interleukin-5 (IL-5)-targeted antibody biologic, it can significantly reduce the recurrence rate of eosinophil-driven inflammatory diseases and decrease the use of oral corticosteroids. We hope to leverage the spillover effect of the CIIE so that Nucala® can provide effective and safe treatment options for Chinese patients with eosinophil-driven inflammatory diseases in the future.”

Speech by Qi Xin, General Manager of GSK China Prescription Medicines and Vaccines

 

Nucala has currently been approved in the United States and numerous other countries worldwide for the treatment of eosinophil-driven inflammatory diseases, including severe eosinophilic...Asthma(SEA), eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA), hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES), and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP).

 

Professor Jiang Lindi of the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology at Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, pointed out: "Elevated eosinophil counts are closely associated with the pathogenesis of various human diseases, including EGPA and severeAsthmaWait. Taking EGPA as an example, the respiratory tract and lungs are typically the earliest and most commonly affected sites; however, as the disease progresses, multiple systemic organ systems may become involved, leading to irreversible organ damage. Under current standard treatment regimens, such as oral corticosteroids (OCS) and immunosuppressants, most patients experience symptom relapse following dose tapering, with a relatively short average remission period or a high relapse rate. Disease control remains suboptimal, and patients typically require long-term OCS therapy, which frequently predisposes them to various adverse effects, such as osteoporosis,Diabetes mellitus、Hypertension..., and long-term corticosteroid use remains inadequate for controlling multi-organ damage. Therefore, there is an urgent clinical need for novel therapies that can induce disease remission, prevent relapses, and reduce corticosteroid dosages. The advent of Nucala will bring a transformative shift to the management of a range of eosinophil-driven inflammatory diseases, including EGPA. It will help patients achieve sustained disease control, reduce relapses, and lower corticosteroid treatment doses, thereby enabling them to live better lives.”

Jiang Lindi, Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Introduces EGPA

 

Nucala is the world's first antibody biologic targeting human interleukin-5 (IL-5). Its therapeutic target is the cytokine IL-5, which directly mediates the maturation, proliferation, and survival of eosinophils. By binding to IL-5, Nucala blocks the interaction between IL-5 and receptors on the surface of eosinophils, inhibiting eosinophil biological activity and sustaining a reduction in their counts to normal levels, thereby reducing eosinophil-mediated inflammation and tissue damage and maintaining the body's healthy state. (Bioon)

 

*Mepolizumab has not yet been approved in the mainland China market.