Experts hail new drug for asthma
The first new asthma drug for almost 20 years could significantly reduce the severity of the condition, researchers have found.
Three people die from asthma attacks every day and, according to Asthma UK, two thirds of the deaths are preventable.
Fevipiprant was shown to reduce inflammation and repair the l ining of the airways in a study led by Leicester University.
Professor Chris Brightling, senior researcher, said: “A feature of this study was how it included measurements of symptoms, lung function using breathing tests , sampling of the airway wall and CT scans of the chest to give a complete picture of how the drug works.
“Fevipiprant could help to stop preventable asthma attacks, reduce hospital admissions and improve day- to- day symptoms – making it a game-changer.”
A total of 61 people took part in the research, with one group being given 225mg of the drug twice a day for 12 weeks, and the other a placebo.
The rate in those with moderate-to-severe asthma taking the medication dropped from an average of 5.4 per cent to 1.1 per cent over that period, according to the study published in the Lancet Respirator y Medicine journal.
Dr Samantha Walker, director of research and policy at Asthma UK, said: “This shows promise and should be greeted with cautious optimism.”