The FDA has approved GSK’s Nucala (mepolizumab) as an add-on maintenance therapy for adult patients with inadequately controlled chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who have an eosinophilic phenotype.

COPD is a progressive inflammatory lung disease that includes chronic bronchitis and/or emphysema. It affects more than 390 million people globally and is the third leading cause of death. COPD can cause progressive airflow obstruction.

A subset of patients with COPD also have an increase in blood eosinophils, a type of white blood cell that is a biomarker for inflammation. Previous research has shown that COPD with an increase in blood eosinophil count (BEC) is a distinct type of COPD with a specific pattern of airway inflammation.

“COPD isn’t just a disease; it’s a relentless

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