NICE recommends first biologic for COPD

Almost 30,000 people in England with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) could have their lives transformed after NICE recommended a new targeted treatment that can be taken at home.

Dupilumab, a simple pre-filled pen that people inject themselves with every two weeks, is the first biologic that targets both the symptoms of COPD and an underlying cause of the disease. It brings the disease under better control, helping to reduce flare-ups, improve breathing and offers new hope to patients with limited treatment options.

In clinical trials, the drug reduced COPD flare-ups by around 30%. Participants also reported significant improvements in lung function and were able to breathe more easily.

Up to 4 in 10 people with COPD have a specific type of COPD inflammation shown by raised levels of eosinophils. Dupilumab is the first treatment to target this type of COPD and works by blocking two proteins that cause symptoms and flare-ups.

COPD causes around 130,000 emergency NHS hospital admissions each year in England. By significantly reducing flare-ups, dupilumab could help ease pressure on hospitals while reducing the need for steroid prescriptions. If half the eligible population receive this new treatment, there could be around 3,600 fewer COPD exacerbation, saving the health service an estimated £16.5m.

Helen Knight, NICE Director of medicines evaluation commented: ‘This recommendation is a significant milestone for people with COPD. It offers patients an effective, targeted therapy that has shown impressive results – reducing flare-ups by around a third while improving lung function.

‘For people whose COPD remains uncontrolled despite existing treatments, dupilumab could offers genuine hope for a better quality of life.’

Sarah Sleet, Chief Executive of Asthma + Lung UK said: ‘This is the first ever targeted treatment for people with uncontrolled COPD and a major milestone for those who could soon be able to access it. While not everyone will be eligible for this drug, this is the most important breakthrough in COPD care in nearly a decade.’

‘Many people with COPD live under the constant worry of when their next disease flare up could lead to an episode of disabling breathlessness or an emergency hospital admission. The NHS rollout of a take-at-home jab for COPD will transform the lives of around 100,000 people over the next few years, cutting the chances of them having severe exacerbations by one-third for the first time as well as improving their quality of life,’ said Dr Jonathan Fuld, National Clinical Director for respiratory disease at NHS England

He added: ‘People taking the injection in trials saw improvements within a fortnight, and with the NHS seeing more than 120,000 emergency admissions for COPD each year, this new medication could also soon help to ease pressure on A&E departments.’