+ Technology/Innovation
Ruth de Jauregui | May 21, 2017

GlaxoSmithKline reviewing latest studies of treatment for COPD patients

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) said it is reviewing preliminary results of two Phase III studies of mepolizumab as an add on treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with an eosinophilic phenotype.

The two 52-week studies evaluated mepolizumab as an add on treatment to help reduce eosinophils, a type of white blood cell, and its effect on moderate and severe exacerbations in COPD patients.

Study 117106 METREX evaluated 100 mg of mepolizumab versus placebo in 836 patients. The patients were divided into two groups depending on their blood eosinophil count. The study found that the patients with higher eosinophils showed a statistically significant reduction in the number of moderate and severe exacerbations, GSK said in a release.

The second study, 117113 METREO, evaluated 100 mg of mepolizumab, 300 mg of mepolizumab and a placebo. While a reduction in exacerbation events was seen, it was not statistically significant.

“We embarked on these two studies in our pursuit to help COPD patients with an eosinophilic phenotype who still exacerbate despite optimal use of medicines available today," GSK Vice President and Medicine Development Lead for mepolizumab Steve Yancey said in the release. "We believe the reduction in moderate and severe exacerbations observed are of clinical relevance given the need for a new treatment approach in these difficult to treat patients. We will review the full data when available to determine our next steps.”

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