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Data updated: Mar 10, 2026

NUCALA

MEPOLIZUMAB Interleukin-5 Antagonists
Immunology Approved 2015-11-04

NUCALA (mepolizumab) is an interleukin-5 (IL-5) antagonist monoclonal antibody indicated for the treatment of several respiratory and inflammatory conditions characterized by an eosinophilic phenotype. It is approved as an add-on maintenance therapy for severe asthma in patients aged 6 and older, chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps in adults, and inadequately controlled chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adults. The medication is also indicated for adult patients with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) and for patients aged 12 and older with hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES). NUCALA is not intended for the relief of acute bronchospasm or status asthmaticus.

Source: FDA Label • GSK • Interleukin-5 Antagonist

How NUCALA Works

Mepolizumab functions as an

Source: FDA Label
7
Indications
--
Phase 3 Trials
2
Priority Reviews
10
Years on Market

Details

Status
Prescription
First Approved
2015-11-04
Routes
SUBCUTANEOUS LYOPHILIZED POWER, SUBCUTANEOUS
Dosage Forms
INJECTABLE

Companies

Active Ingredient: MEPOLIZUMAB

NUCALA Approval History

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What NUCALA Treats

5 indications

NUCALA is approved for 5 conditions since its original approval in 2015. These indications span multiple therapeutic areas including oncology, immunology, and more.

  • Asthma
  • Chronic Rhinosinusitis
  • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
  • Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis
  • Hypereosinophilic Syndrome
Source: FDA Label

NUCALA Competitors

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2 other drugs also target IL-5. Compare mechanisms, indications, and trial activity.

Drug = Competitor name Company = Manufacturer N indic. = FDA-approved indications → Date = Patent/exclusivity expiry

Competitors share the same molecular target (IL-5). Earlier expiry dates signal biosimilar/generic opportunities.

Drugs Similar to NUCALA

FDA-approved drugs for similar conditions. Compare mechanisms and indications to understand treatment alternatives.

BREO ELLIPTA
FLUTICASONE FUROATE
2 shared
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Shared indications:
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary DiseaseAsthma
BREYNA
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Viatris
Shared indications:
AsthmaChronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
DUPIXENT
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Regeneron
Shared indications:
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FASENRA
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AstraZeneca
Shared indications:
AsthmaEosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis
OMLYCLO
OMALIZUMAB-IGEC
2 shared
CELLTRION INC
Shared indications:
AsthmaChronic Rhinosinusitis
SEREVENT
SALMETEROL XINAFOATE
2 shared
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Shared indications:
AsthmaChronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
SPIRIVA RESPIMAT
TIOTROPIUM BROMIDE
2 shared
Boehringer Ingelheim
Shared indications:
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary DiseaseAsthma
SYMBICORT
BUDESONIDE
2 shared
AstraZeneca
Shared indications:
AsthmaChronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
TEZSPIRE
TEZEPELUMAB-EKKO
2 shared
AstraZeneca
Shared indications:
AsthmaChronic Rhinosinusitis
TRELEGY ELLIPTA
FLUTICASONE FUROATE
2 shared
GSK
Shared indications:
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary DiseaseAsthma
WIXELA INHUB
FLUTICASONE PROPIONATE
2 shared
Viatris
Shared indications:
AsthmaChronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
XOLAIR
OMALIZUMAB
2 shared
Roche
Shared indications:
AsthmaChronic Rhinosinusitis
ACCOLATE
ZAFIRLUKAST
1 shared
STRIDES PHARMA INTL
Shared indications:
Asthma
ADVAIR HFA
FLUTICASONE PROPIONATE
1 shared
GSK
Shared indications:
Asthma
AIRDUO RESPICLICK
FLUTICASONE PROPIONATE
1 shared
Teva
Shared indications:
Asthma
AIRSUPRA
ALBUTEROL SULFATE
1 shared
AstraZeneca
Shared indications:
Asthma
ALVESCO
CICLESONIDE
1 shared
COVIS
Shared indications:
Asthma
ANORO ELLIPTA
UMECLIDINIUM BROMIDE
1 shared
GSK
Shared indications:
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
ARFORMOTEROL TARTRATE
ARFORMOTEROL TARTRATE
1 shared
Cipla
Shared indications:
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
ARNUITY ELLIPTA
FLUTICASONE FUROATE
1 shared
GSK
Shared indications:
Asthma
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Active Pipeline

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Ongoing clinical trials by development phase

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Key Completed Trials

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Completed studies with published results, ranked by significance

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Trial Timeline

Full development history with FDA approval milestones

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Understanding FDA Approval Types
Count Type What it means
- ORIG Original approval - drug first enters market
- SUPPL - Efficacy New indication (new disease/condition approved)
- SUPPL - Labeling Label text changes (warnings, dosing updates)
- SUPPL - Manufacturing Production changes (new facility)
- SUPPL - Chemistry Formulation changes (new dosage strength)

Green lines in the timeline show ORIG and Efficacy approvals - the clinically meaningful milestones.

NUCALA FDA Label Details

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Indications & Usage

FDA Label (PDF)

NUCALA is an interleukin-5 (IL-5) antagonist monoclonal antibody (IgG1 kappa) indicated for: • Add-on maintenance treatment of adult and pediatric patients aged 6 years and older with severe asthma and with an eosinophilic phenotype. • Add-on maintenance treatment of adult patients aged 18 years and older with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). • Add-on maintenance treatment of adult patients with inadequately controlled chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and an eosinophilic phenotype. • The treatment of adult patients with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiiti...

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Data Sources

Data sourced from official FDA and NIH databases. Click links to verify on original sources.