Sanofi, Regeneron shares pop, data shows asthma drug Dupixent may treat COPD

Shares of Sanofi and Regeneron each jumped by greater than 6% on Thursday after the pharmaceutical corporations released promising data showing their jointly developed asthma drug Dupixent also shows promise in treating COPD patients.

Recent data from a phase three clinical trial shows Dupixent reduced bad bouts of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, by 30% compared with a placebo over 52 weeks. The drug is already approved for asthma and a few skin conditions, reminiscent of eczema, however it could develop into the primary recent treatment in over a decade for COPD. 

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COPD is a life-threatening respiratory disease that causes progressive lung function decline, with symptoms reminiscent of persistent cough and breathlessness that may hinder a person’s ability to do day by day activities. It caused 3.2 million deaths globally in 2019, making it the third leading explanation for death, in line with the World Health Organization. Smoking is a key risk factor for COPD, but individuals who quit smoking also can develop the disease. 

The trial enrolled COPD patients with type 2 inflammation — an allergic response that can lead to decreased lung function. Roughly 300,000 people within the U.S. alone live with COPD with type 2 inflammation, in line with Regeneron. 

The greater than 900 participants within the trial were current or former smokers, and those that received Dupixent showed improvements in lung function, quality of life and respiratory symptoms. Those results are a win for Dupixent, as competing COPD drugs from drugmakers reminiscent of AstraZeneca and GSK struggle to make successful strides toward approval. 

“Change cannot come quick enough for people living with uncontrolled COPD but, unfortunately, many investigational treatments have didn’t show significant clinical outcomes leaving these vulnerable patients with limited treatment options,” said Dr. Dietmar Berger, Sanofi’s chief medical officer, in an organization press release. “We’re excited to share these unprecedented and potentially paradigm-shifting clinical results, which can give recent hope to patients, caregivers and physicians.”

The businesses said a second phase three trial of Dupixent in COPD is ongoing, with data expected in 2024.

J.P. Morgan analyst Chris Schott said Dupixent’s latest results exceeded expectations. 

“This profit suggests a transparent clinically meaningful profit for Dupixent and may support broad usage for the asset on this segment of the COPD market,” Schott wrote in a research note to clients Thursday. He added that J.P. Morgan expects to see recent COPD patients adding $1.5 billion to $2 billion in recent sales for Dupixent.

Dupixent raked in sales of $8.7 billion last yr for Regeneron, which was a 40% increase from 2021.

Cowen analyst Steve Scala gave an identical tackle the brand new data, noting that COPD represents a significant market opportunity for the drug. 

“We expect solid uptake for Dupixent once approved,” he wrote in a note Thursday, adding that “we’re strongly encouraged by positive data in COPD which could develop into a blockbuster opportunity for Dupixent and extend its growth trajectory through 2030+.”