GSK has announced positive results from its phase III ANCHOR trials for depemokimab, a biologic treatment targeting chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). The trials, ANCHOR-1 and ANCHOR-2, met their co-primary endpoints, demonstrating a statistically significant reduction in both nasal polyp size and nasal obstruction when compared to placebo after 52 weeks of treatment.
CRSwNP is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting up to 4% of the global population, leading to symptoms like nasal obstruction, loss of smell, facial pressure, and infections. Around 40% of CRSwNP patients suffer from uncontrolled symptoms despite treatment, often requiring corticosteroid use and repeated surgeries. The condition is strongly associated with type 2 inflammation, driven by elevated levels of interleukin-5 (IL-5) in nasal polyps.
Depemokimab, which is administered once every six months, works by targeting IL-5, reducing the inflammation that underlies nasal polyp growth. This ultra-long-acting biologic is the first of its kind to be evaluated in phase III trials with such extended dosing intervals, which could reduce treatment burdens for patients and healthcare providers alike.
In the ANCHOR trials, patients who received depemokimab showed a significant reduction in nasal polyps and improved nasal airflow, with a safety profile comparable to placebo. These promising outcomes suggest that depemokimab could provide a new, long-term solution for patients suffering from this debilitating condition.
Kaivan Khavandi, GSK’s Senior Vice President of Respiratory and Immunology R&D, expressed optimism about the results, stating that the data from the ANCHOR studies underscore the potential of depemokimab to offer targeted and sustained suppression of key inflammatory pathways. This, combined with positive results from recent phase III data in severe asthma, positions the drug as a significant advancement in the treatment of type 2 inflammatory conditions.
GSK plans to use these findings to support regulatory submissions worldwide, with full results expected to be presented at an upcoming scientific conference .Depemokimab is part of GSK’s ongoing efforts to enhance the treatment of respiratory conditions through innovative biologics and targeted therapies, with the goal of improving patient outcomes in diseases like CRSwNP, asthma, and other inflammatory disorders.
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