What is Nucala?
Nucala is a humanized monoclonal antibody that targets human Interleukin-5 (IL-5), it is indicated for add on maintenance treatment of patients 6 years and older with severe asthma with eosinophilic phenotype.
Inflammation is an important component of asthma development. It is mediated by multiple cell types which include eosinophils, a type of white blood cell that protects the body from parasites, allergens and foreign bacteria.
Eosinophilic inflammation can be characterized by high eosinophilic count via bloodwork. IL-5 is a major cytokine which is responsible for eosinophil development.
Nucala binds and targets IL-5 blocking. IL-5 binds to the alpha chain of the IL-5 receptor complex. This prevents IL-5 signaling, reducing the production and survival of eosinophils.