NICE shoots down Dupixent for severe asthma

NICE, the NHS’ drug watchdog in England and Wales, has announced its decision not to recommend Sanofi and Regeneron’s IL-4 inhibitor Dupixent (dupilumab) in the treatment of severe asthma.

The indication specifically relates to patients with type 2 inflammation that does not respond adequately to the combination of high-dose inhaled corticosteroids and another maintenance therapy.

The decision was made despite data indicating the superiority of Dupixent, when combined with standard asthma treatment, compared to placebo in reducing exacerbation frequency and reliance on oral corticosteroids in this patient population.

Ultimately, this was due to cost estimates for use of the drug coming in at a level higher than NHS resources would support.

Patients in this target population often prove difficult to treat and are prone to hospitalisation when sudden exacerbations arise.

Matt Fellows