Asthma is characterized by chronic inflammation of the airways in which there is an overabundance of eosinophils, mast cells, and activated T helper lymphocytes. These inflammatory cells release mediators that then trigger bronchoconstriction, mucus secretion, and remodeling, leading to difficulty exhaling during respiration.

 As per Asthma – Market Insight, Epidemiology and Market Forecast – 2034, it is estimated that approximately 55 million individuals were diagnosed in the 7MM (including the United States, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, and Japan) in 2023. However, the trajectory of this widespread condition is poised to evolve in the coming years. By 2034, DelveInsight analysts predict a notable surge in asthma cases within these regions, reflecting the urgent need for continued research, improved treatments, and enhanced public health initiatives to address this growing global health concern.

For the past five decades, the healthcare system has relied on SABA-only therapy, which fails to manage the inflammatory component of asthma as SABA alone does not address inflammation, leaving patients at risk of severe exacerbations, which can result in impaired quality of life, hospitalization and frequent oral corticosteroid (OCS) use. Recently FDA-approved AIRSUPRA offers the potential to serve as an enhanced specific targeted therapy to patients, particularly those on maintenance medication, while also providing another option for reducing breakthrough symptoms.

AIRSUPRA (albuterol/budesonide), formerly known as PT027, got approval in January 2023 and is a first-in-class SABA/ICS rescue treatment for asthma in the US. 

• AIRSUPRA 180 mcg/160 mcg, the annualized total systemic corticosteroid dose with enhanced potential for treatment adherence, seeks to provide a combined effect as SABA/ICS-specific therapy.
• AIRSUPRA is the only FDA-approved drug, as-needed for SABA/ICS asthma, and is designed to treat both symptoms and inflammation.

AIRSUPRA was launched in January 2024 and recorded USD 7 million in sales in Q1 2024. AstraZeneca had studied the treatment in patients as young as 4 years old and patients with asthma 18 years of age and older, whereas the FDA only gave the go-ahead for adult patients over 18 years.  Now, the company is aiming to include important asthma cohorts in updated labels down the road. At the American Thoracic Society (ATS) conference 2024, AstraZeneca is unveiling a compelling poster titled “P616 - A Bayesian Dynamic Borrowing Approach to Evaluate the Efficacy of Albuterol-budesonide as Needed in Adolescents With Asthma: Design of the Acadia Study” on May 21 at San Diego Convention Center elucidating the efficacy of AIRSUPRA (Albuterol-budesonide) in adolescents with asthma. 

In conclusion, AIRSUPRA, the only dual-targeted approved drug emerges as a groundbreaking solution for asthma. There is a substantial probability that AstraZeneca will file another application to the FDA based on the study that will be presented at ATS 2024 for the approval of AIRSUPRA in patients as young as 4 years old, as the company witnessed a substantial spike in revenue across the respiratory segment represents about 13% of its overall revenue following the launch of AIRSUPRA.