Benralizumab

Benralizumab is a humanized antibody that leads to the depletion of eosinophilic granulocytes via an Il-5 receptor bondon their surface. In adult patients with insufficiently controlled asthma, the monoclonal antibody Benralizumab can be used as an add-on treatment to high-dose inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting beta-agonists. In studies, Benralizumab reduced the annual exacerbation rate and improved lung function in asthmatics (Nair et al. 2017)

The antibody was tested in 3 large phase III studies. It reduced the annual exacerbation rate of asthmatics and improved their lung function measured by the forced expiratory one-second volume (FEV1). Benralizumab has received EU-wide approval.

Benralizumab is only intended as a supplementary medication. The indication was developed as "add-on maintenance therapy in adult patients with severe eosinophilic asthma, which is inadequately controlled despite high-dose inhaled corticosteroids plus long-acting beta-agonists".

Benralizumab is given to asthma patients s.c. every 8 weeks at a dose of 30 mg. At the beginning of Benralizumab therapy, the application cycle is shortened, with the first 3 applications being made at 4-week intervals.

Fasenra®

1. Castro M et al(2014) Benralizumab, an anti-interleukin 5 receptor α monoclonal antibody, versus placebo for uncontrolled eosinophilic asthma: a phase 2b randomised dose-ranging study. Lancet Respir Med 2:879-890.
2. Nair P et al (2017) Oral glucocorticoid-sparing effect of benralizumab in severe asthma. N Engl J Med 376:2448-2458.