AstraZeneca's Airsupra Shows Promising Results in Asthma Treatment

AstraZeneca has presented groundbreaking data from its phase 3 BATURA study, demonstrating significant efficacy of its dual-drug asthma inhaler Airsupra in patients with milder asthma. The study results, unveiled at the American Thoracic Society Conference in San Francisco and published in the New England Journal of Medicine, mark a potential shift in asthma management strategies.

Airsupra Outperforms Traditional Treatment

Airsupra, a combination of albuterol and budesonide, showed a 47% reduction in the risk of severe exacerbations compared to albuterol alone, the bronchodilator commonly used for immediate asthma relief for five decades. The BATURA study, involving over 2,400 patients, demonstrated statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements across all primary and secondary endpoints.

Pablo Panella, global chief of AstraZeneca's respiratory and immunology unit, emphasized the importance of these findings: "What this tells you is that, even on maintenance therapy, it's not enough. What Airsupra does is build on top of your maintenance therapy, giving extra protection that you need when you have a peak of inflammation that cannot be covered by the maintenance regimen in the moment."

Comprehensive Benefits Across Asthma Severity Spectrum

The BATURA study complements previous successful phase 3 trials of Airsupra, offering evidence of the inhaler's value in patients with intermittent to mild asthma. This group represents more than half of those with the disorder and accounts for up to 30% of asthma-related exacerbations.

Notably, the study showed that adults and children aged 12 and older using Airsupra had 63% less exposure to systemic corticosteroids (SCS) over the course of the study compared to those using albuterol alone. This reduction in SCS exposure is significant, as increased exposure carries additional risks, including weight gain, diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular issues.

Market Potential and Industry Impact

Airsupra, approved by the FDA in January 2023, has shown increasing sales in each of its first four quarters on the market, reaching $28 million in the first quarter of 2025. Analysts from Jefferies have projected peak sales potential at $500 million.

The success of Airsupra contributes to AstraZeneca's thriving respiratory and immunology portfolio, which accounted for $7.9 billion in sales in 2024, a year-over-year increase of 23%. The company sees significant growth potential in this area, estimating the market for respiratory and immunology products to increase from $130 billion to $200 billion over the next decade.