First-in-class monoclonal antibody significantly improved both underlying inflammation and dysphagia in eosinophilic esophagitis, extending its potential beyond the airways to the oesophagus.
New Phase III data in eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) have demonstrated efficacy of Tezspire (tezepelumab-ekko) in a third epithelial-driven inflammatory disease. This illustrates its use beyond severe asthma and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps.
The biologic, being co-developed by Amgen and AstraZeneca, is the first biologic to target thymic stromal lymphopoietin. The new findings could therefore provide a new treatment approach for EoE.
Alison Church, Vice President of Global Development for Inflammation, Amgen, told EPR that ”the growing evidence across epithelial-driven inflammatory diseases gives us a strong foundation to explore the potential of epithelial science more broadly across respiratory and immunology.”
The firm’s Executive Vice President of Research and Development, Artificial Intelligence and Data, Dr Jay Bradner, explained that at week 24 of the CROSSING trial, Tezspire “improved both the underlying inflammation and the swallowing difficulties that can make eosinophilic esophagitis so disruptive for patients.”
The study evaluated Tezspire at two doses against placebo in those with symptomatic and uncontrolled EoE while on maintenance therapy. Patients received their designated dose subcutaneously once every four weeks.
Dr Arjan Bredenoord, the trial’s primary investigator said: “Despite the availability of first-line therapies or dietary interventions, many patients with eosinophilic esophagitis still experience substantial burden, including difficulty swallowing food and emotional and daily-life impacts of the disease.
“The impressive results from the CROSSING trial sustained over 52 weeks demonstrate that tezepelumab, taken every four weeks, could provide a new approach to treating EoE, with the potential to help more patients achieve remission and symptom improvement.”
The impressive results from the CROSSING trial sustained over 52 weeks demonstrate that tezepelumab, taken every four weeks, could provide a new approach to treating EoE, with the potential to help more patients achieve remission and symptom improvement”
Dr Arjan Bredenoord, CROSSING trial primary investigator
Caterina Brindicci, Senior Vice President, Global Head of Research & Development, Respiratory, AstraZeneca, shared with EPR: “For drug developers, this is a powerful example of what can come from investing in a deep understanding of disease biology. A well-validated mechanism can open possibilities beyond a single disease, creating new opportunities for innovation and, ultimately, new ways to address patients’ needs.”
AstraZeneca and Amgen plan to share the full study results at an upcoming medical meeting.
The companies first agreed to collaborate to advance Tezspire in 2012. While AstraZeneca manages development, Amgen leads manufacturing operations.
Building on these positive results, in February the European Commission (EC) expanded approval for Amgen’s biologic Uplizna (inebilizumab) for the rare autoimmune condition generalised myasthenia gravis (gMG).
Eosinophilic esophagitis-targeted biologic Dupixent (dupilumab) was approved in Europe as the first treatment for young children in the EU in 2024.
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