GSK announces positive COPD trial results

GSK announced positive results from its phase three ‘MATINEE’ clinical trial on Friday, which evaluated the effectiveness of ‘Nucala’, or mepolizumab, in treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

The FTSE 100 pharmaceutical giant said Nucala, a monoclonal antibody that targets interleukin-5 (IL-5), was tested in COPD patients with chronic bronchitis and emphysema who were already receiving inhaled maintenance therapies.

It said the patients also exhibited signs of type-two inflammation, indicated by elevated blood eosinophil levels, a key factor in disease exacerbations.

The MATINEE trial met its primary goal, showing that the addition of Nucala to the standard treatment significantly reduced the annual rate of moderate to severe exacerbations compared to a placebo group.

GSK said the trial followed patients for up to 104 weeks, with early safety data suggesting that Nucala’s safety profile remained consistent with previous findings.

COPD affects over 300 million people worldwide, and nearly 40% of those patients experience type-two inflammation, which contributes to worsening symptoms and lung damage over time.

By targeting IL-5, Nucala aims to reduce the inflammation and subsequent exacerbations that lead to a decline in lung function and overall health in COPD patients.

The full results of MATINEE would be presented at an upcoming scientific conference, and could influence future regulatory discussions.

Nucala, although approved for severe asthma, was not yet indicated for COPD.

At 0835 BST, shares in GSK were up 0.21% at 1,642.5p.

Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.