Monoclonal antibodies to target asthma

Current therapies for asthma are aimed at controlling disease symptoms. For the majority of asthmatics glucocorticoid-based inhaled anti-inflammatory therapy is effective. However, a subset of patients remains symptomatic despite optimal treatment creating a clear unmet medical need. Biopharmaceutical approaches may identify small molecules that target key cells and mediators that drive the inflammatory responses underlying the pathogenesis of asthma. Significant areas of drug development include humanised monoclonal antibodies (mAb) for asthma therapy including those against IgE, IL-4 and IL-5.