Drugs in the pipeline for COPD

COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, is a leading cause of death in United States. The condition is caused by damage to the airways or lungs that blocks airflow and makes it difficult to breathe; the most common cause is smoking.  COPD is a progressive disease, meaning it is likely to worsen over time. The COPD diagnosis is  broad, and also includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

COPD affects 6 percent of the U.S. adult population, or about 16 million adults. More than half of adults with COPD are women. ¹, ²

Treatment landscape

The global market for asthma and COPD drugs is growing at an annual rate of more than 5 percent, according to some estimates, and could reach $61.54 billion by 2032.³

Drug therapy for COPD depends on disease severity and ranges from short- and long-acting bronchodilators to inhaled steroids. Some patients may benefit from pulmonary rehabilitation, oxygen therapy, surgery, or lung transplant.¹

Current therapies include drugs in several classes:

• Beta2-agonists
• Anticholinergics
• Methylxanthines
• Phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitors
• Mucolytic agents
• Combination therapies

The COPD pipeline

Several promising drugs are in the near-term pipeline for COPD, including:

Dupixent (dupilumab, Regeron Pharmaceuticals/Sanofi) – Treatment of moderate-to-severe COPD with type 2 inflammation (expanded indication)

Ensifentrine (Verona Pharma) – Novel nebulized agent seeking approval for the maintenance treatment of COPD in combination with standard therapies

Nucala (mepolizumab, GlaxoSmithKline) – Adjunctive treatment of severe COPD in patients with an eosinophilic phenotype