A new asthma treatment that requires only two injections per year has received marketing authorization in the United Kingdom. The pharmaceutical company, GSK, announced that the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has approved depemokimab, branded as Exdensur. This innovative treatment is considered “ultra-long-acting” and aims to significantly enhance care for asthma patients, potentially reducing the need for hospitalizations.
According to Kaivan Khavandi, Senior Vice President and global head of Respiratory, Immunology & Inflammation R&D at GSK, “Today’s UK approval of Exdensur, the first in the world, has the potential to redefine care for millions of patients.” The treatment is designed to deliver sustained efficacy that minimizes asthma exacerbations, keeping patients out of hospitals and preventing cumulative lung damage with just two doses a year.
Clinical Trial Results Highlight Effectiveness
Clinical trials involving 762 patients demonstrated the drug’s effectiveness, showing a reduction in significant asthma attacks by 54 percent and a 72 percent decrease in hospital admissions. Asthma, which inflames and narrows the airways in the lungs, affects millions, and the new treatment could provide substantial relief for those whose symptoms are not well-managed with existing therapies.
The medication is administered via subcutaneous injection every six months. It is expected to be privately available in the first half of 2026, pending a decision from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) regarding its prescription on the National Health Service (NHS).
Julian Beach, interim executive director of Healthcare Quality and Access at MHRA, emphasized the significance of this approval. “These conditions affect a significant number of people across the UK and can be difficult to manage despite existing treatments,” he stated. He added that the agency will continue to monitor the safety and effectiveness of depemokimab closely.
Rising Hospital Admissions Highlight Urgency
The need for effective asthma treatments is underscored by recent statistics from Asthma and Lung UK, which indicate a 23 percent increase in emergency hospital admissions for respiratory conditions over the past two years. From April 2024 to March 2025, there were 2,268,865 emergency admissions for respiratory issues in England, compared to 1,841,010 during the previous two-year period, marking a rise of 427,855 admissions.
These figures demonstrate the ongoing challenges faced by individuals suffering from asthma and chronic respiratory diseases. With the introduction of Exdensur, GSK aims to provide a new solution that could transform the treatment landscape for those affected.
