Mepolizumab in severe asthma: additional benefit is not proven

2 May 2016 - Appropriate comparator therapy not implemented so the indirect comparison is unsuitable.

The monoclonal antibody mepolizumab has been approved since the end of 2015 for the treatment of adults with severe refractory eosinophilic asthma. The German IQWiG now examined in an early benefit assessment whether the drug offers an added benefit for patients in comparison with the appropriate comparator therapy.

According to the findings, the specifications of the appropriate comparator therapy were not implemented in the two studies of direct comparisons cited by the drug manufacturer; and the indirect comparison conducted by the manufacturer was unsuitable for the benefit assessment. IQWiG therefore sees no hint of an added benefit of mepolizumab in comparison with the appropriate comparator therapy.

For more details, go to: https://www.iqwig.de/en/press/press-releases/press-releases/mepolizumab-in-severe-asthma-added-benefit-not-proven.7317.html

Michael Wonder

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Michael Wonder