AstraZeneca’s Fasenra (benralizumab), with its highly anticipated Phase III data to be showcased at the 2025 J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, is set to transform the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treatment. As the first IL-5-targeting monoclonal antibody in late-stage trials, Fasenra targets eosinophilic inflammation, potentially reshaping treatment standards and reinforcing AstraZeneca’s leadership in respiratory and immunology innovations for this unmet medical need, according to GlobalData, a analytics company.
COPD, a progressive condition affecting millions globally, has historically relied on inhaled therapies. However, biologics like Dupixent (dupilumab) have paved the way for a new treatment paradigm, targeting specific inflammatory pathways to reduce exacerbations and improve patient outcomes. Fasenra, already approved for severe asthma, builds on this progress with its ability to address eosinophilic inflammation, a key driver in a subset of COPD patients.
“Fasenra offers a more targeted approach to treatment. With its innovative mechanism of action and established success in asthma, Fasenra could address critical safety and efficacy gaps, bringing new hope to patients with eosinophilic COPD,” Asiyah Nawab, Healthcare Analyst at GlobalData, said.
According to GlobalData, the success of Dupixent has demonstrated the viability of biologics in COPD, setting the stage for competitors like Fasenra to expand the treatment landscape. Fasenra’s ability to reduce eosinophilic inflammation positions it to address a previously unmet need for patients who experience more severe symptoms and frequent exacerbations.
Nawab continues: “Biologics are a game-changer in COPD. The challenge lies in identifying the right patient phenotypes, but with studies like RESOLUTE focusing on eosinophil counts, the potential for Fasenra to enter clinical practice is substantial. If the Phase III data delivers as expected, it will be a landmark moment in COPD care.”
AstraZeneca’s respiratory and immunology portfolio is driving significant growth, with R&I assets forecasted to account for 50% of the company’s total revenue by 2030. Key contributors include Breztri Aerosphere, a triple-combination inhaler, and Fasenra, both of which are undergoing indication expansions to serve broader patient populations.
The company reported a 20% revenue increase in the US market in 2024, with R&I achieving 39% growth in Q4 alone. These figures underscore AstraZeneca’s leadership in leveraging biologics to address chronic diseases and unmet medical needs.
While biologics hold significant promise, hurdles remain, including the need to identify optimal patient subsets and the competitive pricing landscape. With the US capping inhaler prices at $35, competition between biologics and inhaled therapies is likely to intensify. However, biologics offering novel mechanisms of action, reduced dosing schedules, and improved outcomes are expected to capture a significant share of the moderate-to-severe COPD market segment.
“With Fasenra and Breztri, AstraZeneca is well-positioned to dominate the evolving COPD market. GlobalData projects that, if approved, Fasenra could generate $1.28 billion in US sales by 2033, based on the COPD in Major Markets, Disease Management, Epidemiology, Pipeline Assessment, Unmet Needs and Drug Forecast to 2033 report. The upcoming Phase III data for Fasenra will be pivotal, not only for AstraZeneca’s growth but for advancing treatment options for millions of patients worldwide. As the COPD market continues to evolve, biologics like Fasenra are at the forefront of transforming treatment paradigms. AstraZeneca’s leadership and innovation in this space offer hope for improved outcomes in a disease that remains a leading cause of global morbidity and mortality,” Nawab added.
