GSK reports positive results from depemokimab trial

(Sharecast News) - GSK has announced positive results from a phase III trial of its depemokimab treatment for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). The pharma giant said on Monday that the ANCHOR-1 and ANCHOR-2 trials, which assessed the efficacy and safety of depemokimab compared with a placebo, both met their co-primary endpoints.

The trials found a statistically significant reduction in both patients' nasal polyp size and nasal obstruction compared with the placebo after a year of treatment.

Depemokimab, which is administered once every six months, is the first ultra-long-acting biologic to be evaluated in phase II trials. It is hoped to treat the millions of people worldwide - estimated at 4% of the general population - that suffer from CRSwNP, experiencing things like nasal obstruction, loss of smell, facial pressure, sleep disturbance, infections and nasal discharge.

"We're very encouraged by the results from the ANCHOR studies, which demonstrate the potential for depemokimab to offer targeted and sustained suppression of a key inflammatory pathway underlying nasal polyp growth and nasal obstruction," said Kaivan Khavandi, senior vice president, global head of respiratory and immunology R&D at GSK.

"Today's data, along with recent phase III data in severe asthma, will be used in regulatory filings around the world."

The stock was up 1% at 1,494.5p by 0854 BST.