Amgen, AstraZeneca report positive results from phase 2a COURSE trial of Tezspire in patients with moderate to very severe COPD

Amgen and AstraZeneca released results from the phase 2a COURSE trial assessing Tezspire (tezepelumab-ekko) in individuals with moderate to very severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), irrespective of baseline blood eosinophil counts (BEC), emphysema, chronic bronchitis, or smoking status. While Tezspire didn't statistically significantly reduce COPD exacerbations versus placebo at week 52 (17% numerical reduction), it showed a notable 37% reduction in patients with BEC =150 cells/µL, significant for approximately 65% of COPD patients eligible for biologic treatment. Those with BEC =300 cells/µL saw a 46% reduction. Tezepelumab improved pre-bronchodilator FEV1 and SGRQ scores, with a safety profile akin to its approved severe asthma indication. The multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled COURSE trial involved 337 patients globally receiving tezepelumab 420 mg or placebo every four weeks over 52 weeks, followed by a 12-week post-treatment follow-up period. Tezspire, a human monoclonal antibody, targets thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) on the airway epithelium, blocking TSLP and addressing various airway inflammations associated with severe asthma.