GSK gets European approval for Nucala to treat children

The European commission has approved GlaxoSmithKline’s Nucala treatment for use with children who have severe asthma.

The commission’s decision means the biologic therapy can be used to treat paediatric patients aged six to 17 in 31 European countries.

GSK said the drug would fill an important gap because asthma is more severe among children and adolescents than adults and they are at more risk of death or near-death events from the condition.

Hal Barron, GSK’s chief scientific officer, said: "Asthma is the most common chronic disease in children. The availability of Nucala as the first targeted treatment available for young children with severe asthma will help provide asthma control for these children and reassurance to their parents."

Nucala, whose chemical name is mepolizumab, is a monoclonal antibody that targets IL5, a cytokine linked to asthma.