- Asthma
What do Sanofi’s latest asthma developments mean for patients?
Written by: Editors
Modified on:
Asthma is a long-term condition that can have a significant impact on daily life. For some patients, current treatments do not provide enough relief. Sanofi is currently researching new medicines aimed at forms of asthma that are difficult to treat. What exactly do these developments involve? And what could they mean for people with severe or inflammation-prone asthma?
Most attention is focused on the medicine amlitelimab, which has recently shown promising results in a phase 2 study. The study involved people with moderate to severe asthma and demonstrated a clinically meaningful reduction in asthma attacks at a specific dose. Improvements in lung function and overall asthma control were also observed.
For a subgroup with raised eosinophils and neutrophils, amlitelimab even showed more than a 70% reduction in exacerbations. These early results offer hope for people with so-called heterogeneous inflammatory asthma: a form of asthma where multiple inflammatory processes occur at the same time and existing therapies are often not sufficient.
Although the medicine is still in the research phase, possible benefits are already being discussed: fewer flare-ups, improved lung function, and less medication needed. The long-acting effect (up to 12 weeks between injections) could also reduce the treatment burden for patients.
What makes amlitelimab different?
Amlitelimab is a monoclonal antibody that inhibits the OX40-Ligand — a protein that plays a key role in triggering inflammatory responses in the immune system. By blocking this protein, the medicine helps to better balance the immune system without completely disabling immune cells. This makes it a potential candidate for long-term stabilisation of inflammation-prone asthma.
The phase 2 study showed that side effects were mild to moderate and comparable to placebo. Common side effects included COVID-19, bronchitis, and headache. A phase 3 study is now planned to confirm these initial results.
Lunsekimig and Itepekimab: more options in the pipeline
Sanofi is also researching other medicines, such as lunsekimig and itepekimab. Lunsekimig targets two inflammatory proteins, IL-13 and TSLP, which play an important role in asthma by contributing to the inflammatory response in the airways. This approach is intended to address different steps in the inflammatory process at the same time, potentially keeping the immune system better balanced. Clinical studies are still ongoing, including in people with COPD.
Itepekimab targets IL-33, an inflammatory substance that is often raised in respiratory diseases. This medicine is also being tested in asthma and COPD, as well as in people with chronic sinusitis. Results for both medicines are expected in 2025 and 2026.
What do these developments mean for you?
If you are living with asthma that responds poorly to current treatments, these new developments may offer hope. They specifically target forms of asthma in which inflammation cannot be suppressed in the usual way. This could provide new treatment options in the future. However, it is important to remember that these medicines are still being researched and therefore (not yet) available for general use.
Looking ahead together
The developments at Sanofi show that there is a lot happening in the treatment of severe asthma. New insights and treatments are in development, and for some people this could mean the difference between a life full of limitations and a life with more breathing space. We will continue to closely follow the progress of these innovations and keep you updated on relevant developments.
Together with Doctoronline, we can find the right path that suits your specific situation.