Glaxo Nucala asthma treatment approved for use in Japan

GlaxoSmithKline said Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has granted approval for Nucala as a treatment for bronchial asthma in patients with refractory asthma whose symptoms are inadequately controlled with standard treatment.

Nucala is licensed in Japan for adults and adolescents aged 12 years or older.

Approval in Japan comes just four months after the approval of Nucala in the US - the first approval of an anti-IL-5 treatment anywhere in the world.

Philippe Fauchet, President, GSK Japan said: "As the market leader in respiratory medicine, GSK has been focused on gaining approval and launching its new respiratory medicines to meet the needs of patients in Japan.”

“Approval of Nucala not only complements our respiratory portfolio but also gives us the opportunity to make a difference to the lives of more patients in Japan. It is our aim to make Nucala available in Japan as soon as possible to support the needs of a significant group of severe asthma patients whose condition is driven by eosinophilic inflammation, which is difficult to control."