CompletedPhase IIIInterventional

Seasonal asthma exacerbation prevention with depemokimab

This research is looking into a new medicine called depemokimab for people with moderate-to-severe asthma. The main goal is to see if it can stop asthma attacks from happening, especially during the challenging autumn and winter months when hospitals are often very busy. Participants will receive either the new medicine or a dummy treatment (placebo). Neither they nor the study team will know which they are getting. The study will involve hospital visits and phone calls over eight months to check on participants' health and whether they've had any asthma attacks. The first participants are expected to join around September 2025. This study aims to find better ways to help people manage their asthma.

At a glance

Status

Completed

Phase

Phase III

Enrolment target

170

Start

22 Aug 2025

Estimated completion

10 Oct 2025

Moderate-to-severe asthma

What is this study about?

Asthma can be a challenging condition, and even with regular medication, some people still experience sudden worsening of their symptoms, known as asthma attacks. These attacks can be serious, sometimes requiring a visit to the emergency room or even a hospital stay. We know that autumn and winter can be particularly tough periods for people with asthma, and also for hospitals, which often face high demand for care during these months.

This study is designed to investigate whether a new medicine, called depemokimab, could help prevent these autumn and winter asthma attacks. Depemokimab is a type of medicine known as a 'biologic' and works in a targeted way. What's interesting about it is that one dose might be effective for up to six months, potentially offering long-lasting protection. Currently, depemokimab is still being tested and is not yet available as a licensed medicine, which is why studies like this one are so important.

To really understand if depemokimab works, we need to compare it with something else. In this study, half of the participants will receive the new medicine, while the other half will get a 'placebo' – a dummy treatment that looks just like the real medicine but contains no active drug. This comparison helps us see the true effects of depemokimab. All the research done so far suggests that the dose being used in this study is safe. The information gathered from this study will be crucial in deciding if depemokimab can become a widely available treatment in the future.

Key takeaways

Tests a new medicine (depemokimab) for moderate-to-severe asthma.
Aims to prevent seasonal autumn/winter asthma attacks.
Involves a single injection, either the new medicine or a dummy one.
Participation lasts about eight months with follow-up appointments.
May not directly benefit you, but helps future asthma treatments.
Open to adults aged 18+ with a history of seasonal asthma attacks.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for adults aged 18 or over. To be considered, you must have been diagnosed with asthma for at least a year and are currently taking regular asthma medication, specifically a combination of medium or high-dose inhaled steroids with another long-acting medicine.

Crucially, you would also need to have a history of seasonal asthma attacks. This means you must have had at least one asthma attack needing steroid tablets or injections in both the autumn/winter of 2023-2024 and 2024-2025. Alternatively, you might be eligible if you had one asthma attack that required a hospital stay during the autumn/winter of 2024-2025.

There are also some reasons why you might not be able to join. For example, if you've had a bad allergic reaction to similar 'biologic' medicines before, or if you regularly use certain other types of immune-suppressing medicines. You also wouldn't be able to take part if you've recently used certain other biologic asthma medicines in the last two years, or if you have other serious health conditions that the study doctors feel might put you at risk or affect the study results.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Have you been diagnosed with asthma for at least a year?
Do you currently use inhaled steroids with another long-acting asthma medicine?
Did you have an asthma attack needing steroid tablets/injections in autumn/winter 2023-2024 AND 2024-2025?
OR, did you have an asthma attack needing a hospital stay in autumn/winter 2024-2025?
Have you NOT used other 'biologic' asthma medicines in the last two years?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, the first step is to have some checks and tests at the hospital to make sure the study is right and safe for you. After these initial checks, a computer will randomly decide whether you receive the new medicine (depemokimab) or the dummy medicine (placebo). Neither you nor the study doctors will know which one you are given.

Both the actual medicine and the dummy medicine are given as a single injection under the skin. After this, you will have follow-up visits over the next eight months. Some of these will be in the hospital, and some might be simple phone calls. These visits are to see how you are feeling, check for any side effects, and find out if you have had any asthma attacks. The study is expected to run from May 2025 to June 2026.

Potential risks and benefits

It's possible that depemokimab could reduce your asthma attacks during autumn and winter, but we can't be sure until the study is complete. If you receive the dummy medicine, you won't get any active medication that could help your asthma. While you might not directly benefit from taking part, the information we learn from this study will be very important for improving asthma treatment for many people in the future. All research studies have potential risks, but this medicine has been tested for safety. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your usual medical care.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

Not provided at time of registration
Unverified
United Kingdom

Common questions

What is depemokimab?

Depemokimab is a new, investigational medicine (a 'biologic') that scientists hope can help prevent asthma attacks.

Will I know if I'm getting the real medicine or the dummy one?

No, both you and the study team will not know whether you're receiving the active medicine or the dummy one (placebo). This helps make the study results fair.

How is the medicine given?

Both the real medicine and the dummy medicine are given as a single injection under the skin.

How long will I be involved in the study?

You will be followed for about eight months after receiving the injection, with a mix of hospital visits and phone calls.

What happens if I decide I don't want to continue?

You are free to leave the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

How to find out more

David Jackson

david.jackson@nhs.net +44 (0)7737152154 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.