NICE approves first targeted treatment for uncontrolled COPD

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has approved the first targeted treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), offering a new option to up to 30,000 people in England whose condition remains uncontrolled on maximum inhaler therapy.

Dupilumab, a self-injected biologic therapy, works by blocking two proteins that drive inflammation and COPD symptoms. The treatment is administered at home via a pre-filled pen every two weeks.

The drug is specifically for adults with a type of COPD inflammation marked by raised eosinophil levels. Clinical trial participants reported improvements in breathing and lung capacity and results found that the drug reduced COPD flare-ups by around 30%.

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Helen Knight, director of medicines evaluation at NICE, described the approval as a ‘significant milestone’ for people with COPD.

‘It offers patients an effective, targeted therapy that has shown impressive results – reducing flare-ups by around a third while improving lung function,’ she said.

‘This is better for patients and better for the NHS.’

COPD, a progressive lung condition that makes breathing difficult, is one of the leading causes of emergency hospital admissions in England, accounting for around 130,000 admissions a year.

An estimated 1.2 million people in the UK have a COPD diagnosis. The condition can severely impact quality of life and severe cases can also raise the risk of developing heart failure.

Flare-ups – or exacerbations – often require repeated courses of steroids, which can have long-term side effects.

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NICE estimates that if half the eligible population receives dupilumab, it could lead to around 3,600 fewer exacerbations annually, with potential savings of £16.5m for the NHS.

Sarah Sleet, chief executive of the charity Asthma + Lung UK, welcomed the announcement, calling it ‘the most important breakthrough in COPD care in nearly a decade’.

She added: ‘While not everyone will be eligible for this drug, today’s announcement will bring hope to many who have not been able to access treatment that could transform their lives.’

NHS England has secured a commercial deal with manufacturer Sanofi enabling the rollout of dupilumab for eligible patients.

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Dr Jonathan Fuld, NHS England’s national clinical director for respiratory disease, said: ‘Many people with COPD live under the constant worry of when their next disease flare-up could lead to disabling breathlessness or a hospital admission.

‘The NHS rollout of a take-at-home jab will transform lives – reducing severe exacerbations and improving quality of life.’