Dupixent® (dupilumab) Approved as the First-ever Biologic Medicine in Japan for Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Core Insights - Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and Sanofi received marketing and manufacturing authorization for Dupixent (dupilumab) for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Japan, marking the first new treatment approach for COPD in over a decade in the country [1][3] - The approval is based on the pivotal BOREAS Phase 3 trial, which demonstrated that Dupixent significantly reduced exacerbations and improved lung function in adults with uncontrolled COPD and elevated blood eosinophils [2][3] - Dupixent is already approved for multiple indications in Japan, including atopic dermatitis, asthma, chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis, prurigo nodularis, and chronic spontaneous urticaria [3] COPD Overview - COPD is a chronic respiratory disease that leads to progressive lung function decline and is the fourth leading cause of death globally [4] - Symptoms include persistent cough, excessive mucus production, and shortness of breath, which can significantly impair daily activities and lead to mental health issues [4] - Approximately half of COPD patients continue to experience exacerbations despite being on triple inhaled therapy, with those having elevated eosinophils at a higher risk for exacerbations and hospitalizations [4] Dupixent's Mechanism and Development - Dupixent is a first-in-class biologic that inhibits interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-13 (IL-13) signaling pathways, targeting a specific population with type 2 inflammation [6][9] - The Dupixent development program has been extensive, involving over 60 clinical trials with more than 10,000 patients across various chronic diseases driven by type 2 inflammation [11][12] - Dupixent is administered as a subcutaneous injection, available in a 300 mg dose, and is intended for bi-weekly use [8][9] Clinical Research and Future Directions - Regeneron and Sanofi are also investigating itepekimab, another biologic targeting interleukin-33 (IL-33), in two ongoing Phase 3 trials for COPD [7][12] - The companies aim to transform the treatment paradigm for COPD by exploring the role of different types of inflammation in disease progression [5][6]