OCS REDUCTION DATA

IMPACT ON OCS-DEPENDENT PATIENTS

In the ZONDA pivotal study (28 weeks), a 75% median reduction in final OCS dose was observed in OCS-dependent patients treated with FASENRA + SOC (n=73) compared to a 25% reduction with placebo + SOC (n=75)
while maintaining asthma control (P<0.001).1,2

View the ZONDA study design here.

Results from PONENTE, the LARGEST OCS-SPARING TRIAL Performed With Asthma Biologics*3

An open-label, single-arm study

Figure Representing 63% of Patients Achieved Zero Daily OCS

of patients ACHIEVED ZERO DAILY OCS while maintaining asthma control†4

Figure Representing 91% of Patients Achieved a Daily OCS Dosage

of patients ACHIEVED A DAILY OCS DOSAGE of ≤5 mg regardless of the reason for stopping the reduction‡4

82% of patients ELIMINATED OCS USE or REDUCED DAILY DOSAGE
to ≤5 mg if adrenal insufficiency prevented further reduction.‡4

Results observed in patients treated with FASENRA + SOC (N=598) during the OCS reduction phase.

Results are descriptive only; no formal hypotheses were tested. PONENTE was an open-label, single-arm study.4

In ZONDA, OCS-dependent patients received chronic oral corticosteroid therapy (7.5 mg to 40 mg daily) for ≥6 continuous months directly preceding enrollment.2

In PONENTE, OCS-dependent patients received chronic oral corticosteroid therapy (prednisone ≥5 mg/day or equivalent) for at least 3 months preceding enrollment.4

PONENTE Study: OCS Reduction by Eosinophil Subgroup Data5

Graph Representing OCS ReductionsGraph Representing OCS Reductions

75% of patients were observed to have zero exacerbations during the OCS-reduction phase of the trial∥4

85% of patients were observed to have zero exacerbations during the maintenance phase of the trial∥5

Results are descriptive only; no formal hypotheses were tested. PONENTE was an open-label, single-arm study.4,5

Do not abruptly discontinue corticosteroids. Dose reductions, if appropriate, should be gradual and may be associated with withdrawal symptoms and/or unmask previously controlled conditions.

Patients received FASENRA 30 mg SC Q4W for the first 3 doses, then Q8W thereafter. The benralizumab treatment period consisted of a 4-week induction phase with no OCS adjustments, followed by a variable, personalized OCS reduction phase, and a 24-32 week maintenance phase. A total of 598 adult (≥18 years old) patients on high-dose ICS plus LABA for ≥6 months and daily OCS (≥5 mg) for ≥3 months were included. Patients had a blood eosinophil count of ≥150 cells/μL at baseline or ≥300 cells/μL in the previous 12 months for inclusion in the study. The primary endpoints were percentage of patients who achieved a 100% reduction in daily OCS dosage and percentage of patients who achieved a 100% dosage reduction or achieved a daily OCS dosage ≤5 mg if further reduction was not possible because of adrenal insufficiency. After the OCS reduction phase, patients spent approximately 6 months in the maintenance phase. During this time, they continued treatment with 30 mg benralizumab Q8W and either continued without OCS treatment or continued with the final dosage they had achieved in the reduction phase. Investigators could prescribe corticosteroids for exacerbations or increase daily dose in cases of decreased asthma control.

Exacerbations were defined as worsening of asthma symptoms leading to the temporary need for systemic corticosteroids, emergency department or urgent care visit because of asthma that required a systemic corticosteroid bolus, or inpatient hospitalization related to asthma.

In PONENTE, FASENRA was administered in addition to daily OCS (≥5 mg) plus SOC, which is defined as high-dose ICS plus LABA.

Flow Chart Representing PONENTE Phase 3b Oral Corticosteroid Reductions TrialFlow Chart Representing PONENTE Phase 3b Oral Corticosteroid Reductions Trial

Study Limitations

  • Open-label study design with lack of comparator arm
  • Lack of an OCS dosage-optimization phase
  • Analyses were descriptive only

EOS, eosinophil; EOT, end of treatment; ICS, inhaled corticosteroid; LABA, long-acting beta-agonist; OCS, oral corticosteroid; Q4W, every 4 weeks; Q8W, every 8 weeks; SC, subcutaneous; SOC, standard of care.

Hear a colleague discuss the impact on OCS-dependent patients

*Patients in PONENTE were required to have a peripheral blood eosinophil count of ≥150 cells/μL at enrollment or ≥300 cells/μL in the past 12 months.4

Sustained over at least 4 weeks without worsening of asthma.4

Daily OCS dosages were reduced by 1 to 5 mg every 1 to 4 weeks—depending on the starting OCS dosage and asthma control—until a daily dosage of 5 mg was achieved. For patients with baseline OCS >5 mg/day, the median time to achieve 5 mg/day was 4.4 weeks. For those taking >10 mg/
day, the median time was 8.4 weeks. The HPA axis function was assessed after reaching a stable 5-mg daily OCS dosage for 4 weeks; thereafter, the dosage was titrated downward according to adrenal status.4

§Baseline eosinophil counts for patients in PONENTE were stratified into 3 ranges: <150 cells/μL, ≥150 to <300 cells/μL, and ≥300 cells/μL. Patients had a blood eosinophil count of ≥150 cells/μL at baseline or ≥300 cells/μL in the previous 12 months for inclusion in the study.4

IICompared to 16% in the year prior to enrollment.4

HPA, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal; OCS, oral corticosteroid; SOC, standard of care.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION -

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Known hypersensitivity to benralizumab or excipients.

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Hypersensitivity Reactions

Hypersensitivity reactions (eg, anaphylaxis, angioedema, urticaria, rash) have occurred after administration of FASENRA. These reactions generally occur within hours of administration, but in some instances have a delayed onset (ie, days). Discontinue in the event of a hypersensitivity reaction.

Acute Asthma Symptoms or Deteriorating Disease

FASENRA should not be used to treat acute asthma symptoms, acute exacerbations, or acute bronchospasm.

Reduction of Corticosteroid Dosage

Do not discontinue systemic or inhaled corticosteroids abruptly upon initiation of therapy with FASENRA. Reductions in corticosteroid dose, if appropriate, should be gradual and performed under the direct supervision of a physician. Reduction in corticosteroid dose may be associated with systemic withdrawal symptoms and/or unmask conditions previously suppressed by systemic corticosteroid therapy.

Parasitic (Helminth) Infection

It is unknown if FASENRA will influence a patient’s response against helminth infections. Treat patients with pre-existing helminth infections before initiating therapy with FASENRA. If patients become infected while receiving FASENRA and do not respond to anti-helminth treatment, discontinue FASENRA until infection resolves.

ADVERSE REACTIONS

The most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥ 5%):

  • Asthma: headache, pharyngitis
  • EGPA: headache
  • HES: headache, hypersensitivity reactions, influenza-like illness

Injection site reactions (eg, pain, erythema, pruritus, papule) occurred at a rate of 2.2% in patients treated with FASENRA compared with 1.9% in patients treated with placebo in asthma exacerbation studies.

USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS

A pregnancy exposure registry monitors pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to FASENRA during pregnancy. To enroll call 1-877-311-8972 or visit www.mothertobaby.org/fasenra.

The data on pregnancy exposure from the clinical trials are insufficient to inform on drug-associated risk. Monoclonal antibodies such as benralizumab are transported across the placenta during the third trimester of pregnancy; therefore, potential effects on a fetus are likely to be greater during the third trimester of pregnancy.

INDICATIONS

FASENRA is indicated for:

  • the add-on maintenance treatment of patients with severe asthma aged 6 years and older and with an eosinophilic phenotype. FASENRA is not indicated for the relief of acute bronchospasm or status asthmaticus
  • the treatment of adult patients with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA)
  • the treatment of adult and adolescent patients aged 12 years and older with hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) without an identifiable non-hematologic secondary cause

You may report side effects related to AstraZeneca products .

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

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References

Reference

1. Data on File, US-107034, AZPLP. 2. FASENRA® (benralizumab) [package insert]. Wilmington, DE: AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP; 2026. 3. Bleecker ER, FitzGerald JM, Chanez P, et al; SIROCCO study investigators. Efficacy and safety of benralizumab for patients with severe asthma uncontrolled with high-dosage inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting β2-agonists (SIROCCO): a randomised, multicentre, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial. Lancet. 2016;388(10056):2115-2127. 4. FitzGerald JM, Bleecker ER, Nair P, et al; CALIMA study investigators. Benralizumab, an anti-interleukin-5 receptor α monoclonal antibody, as add-on treatment for patients with severe, uncontrolled, eosinophilic asthma (CALIMA): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial. Lancet. 2016;388(10056):2128-2141.

 

1. Korn S, Bourdin A, Chupp G, et al. Integrated safety and efficacy among patients receiving benralizumab for up to 5 years. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2021;9(12):4381-4392.e4.

1. FASENRA® (benralizumab) [package insert]. Wilmington, DE: AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP; September 2024. 2. Laviolette M, Gossage DL, Gauvreau G, et al. Effects of benralizumab on airway eosinophils in asthmatic patients with sputum eosinophilia. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2013;132(5):1086-1096.e5.

1. Data on File, REF-51332, AZPLP. 2. Bleecker ER, FitzGerald JM, Chanez P, et al; SIROCCO study investigators. Efficacy and safety of benralizumab for patients with severe asthma uncontrolled with high-dosage inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting ß2-agonists (SIROCCO): a randomised, multicentre, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial. Lancet. 2016;388(10056):2115-2127. 3. Skolnik NS, Carnahan SP. Primary care of asthma: new options for severe eosinophilic asthma. Curr Med Res Opin. 2019;35(7):1309-1318. 4. Tran TN, Zeiger RS, Peters SP, et al. Overlap of atopic, eosinophilic, and TH2-high asthma phenotypes in a general population with current asthma. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2016;116(1):37-42.

1. FASENRA® (benralizumab) [package insert]. Wilmington, DE: AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP; September 2024. 2. Bleecker ER, FitzGerald JM, Chanez P, et al; SIROCCO study investigators. Efficacy and safety of benralizumab for patients with severe asthma uncontrolled with high-dosage inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting ß2-agonists (SIROCCO): a randomised, multicentre, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial. Lancet. 2016;388(10056):2115-2127. 3. FitzGerald JM, Bleecker ER, Nair P, et al; CALIMA study investigators. Benralizumab, an anti-interleukin-5 receptor α monoclonal antibody, as add-on treatment for patients with severe, uncontrolled, eosinophilic asthma (CALIMA): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial. Lancet. 2016;388(10056):2128-2141. 4. Chipps BE, Newbold P, Hirsch I, Trudo F, Goldman M. Benralizumab efficacy by atopy status and serum immunoglobulin E for patients with severe, uncontrolled asthma. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2018;120(5):504-511.e4.

1. FASENRA® (benralizumab) [package insert]. Wilmington, DE: AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP; September 2024. 2. Nair P, Wenzel S, Rabe KF, et al. Oral glucocorticoid–sparing effect of benralizumab in severe asthma. N Engl J Med. 2017;376(25):2448-2458. 3. Menzies-Gow A, Corren J, Bel EH, et al. Corticosteroid tapering with benralizumab treatment for eosinophilic asthma: PONENTE trial. ERJ Open Res. 2019;5(3):00009-2019. 4. Menzies-Gow A, Gurnell M, Heaney LG, et al. Oral corticosteroid elimination via a personalised reduction algorithm in adults with severe, eosinophilic asthma treated with benralizumab (PONENTE): a multicentre, open-label, single-arm study. Lancet Respir Med. 2022;10(1):47-58. 5. Menzies-Gow A, Gurnell M, Heaney LG, et al. Adrenal function recovery after durable oral corticosteroid sparing with benralizumab in the PONENTE study. Eur Respir J. 2022;60(6):2103226.

1. FASENRA® (benralizumab) [package insert]. Wilmington, DE: AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP; September 2024. 2. Bleecker ER, FitzGerald JM, Chanez P, et al; SIROCCO study investigators. Efficacy and safety of benralizumab for patients with severe asthma uncontrolled with high-dosage inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting ß2-agonists (SIROCCO): a randomised, multicentre, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial. Lancet. 2016;388(10056):2115-2127. 3. FitzGerald JM, Bleecker ER, Nair P, et al; CALIMA study investigators. Benralizumab, an anti-interleukin-5 receptor α monoclonal antibody, as add-on treatment for patients with severe, uncontrolled, eosinophilic asthma (CALIMA): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial. Lancet. 2016;388(10056):2128-2141. 4. Busse WW, Bleecker ER, FitzGerald JM, et al; BORA study investigators. Long-term safety and efficacy of benralizumab in patients with severe, uncontrolled asthma: 1-year results from the BORA phase 3 extension trial. Lancet Respir Med. 2019;7(1):46-59. 5. FitzGerald JM, Bleecker ER, Bourdin A, et al. Two-year integrated efficacy and safety analysis of benralizumab in severe asthma. J Asthma Allergy. 2019;12:401-413. 6. Data on File, REF-19697, AZPLP. 7. Data on File, REF-59636, AZPLP. 8. Chipps BE, Hirsch I, Trudo F, et al. Benralizumab efficacy for patients with fixed airflow obstruction and severe, uncontrolled eosinophilic asthma. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2020;124(1):79-86. 9. Kaminska M, Foley S, Maghni K, et al. Airway remodeling in subjects with severe asthma with or without chronic persistent airflow obstruction. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2009;124(1):45-51.e1-4. 10. Rutting S, Thamrin C, Cross TJ, King GG, Tonga KO. Fixed airflow obstruction in asthma: a problem of the whole lung not of just the airways. Front Physiol. 2022;13:898208.

1. Skolnik NS, Carnahan SP. Primary care of asthma: new options for severe eosinophilic asthma. Curr Med Res Opin. 2019;35(7):1309-1318. 2. Global Initiative for Asthma. 2025 GINA Report, Global Strategy for Asthma Management and Prevention. Accessed May 27, 2025. https://ginasthma.org/reports 3. Bleecker ER, FitzGerald JM, Chanez P, et al; SIROCCO study investigators. Efficacy and safety of benralizumab for patients with severe asthma uncontrolled with high-dosage inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting β2-agonists (SIROCCO): a randomised, multicentre, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial. Lancet. 2016;388(10056):2115-2127. 4. Tran TN, Zeiger RS, Peters SP, et al. Overlap of atopic, eosinophilic, and TH2-high asthma phenotypes in a general population with current asthma. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2016;116(1):37-42.

1. Data on File, US-94507, AZPLP.

1. FASENRA® (benralizumab) [package insert]. Wilmington, DE: AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP; April2024 .

1. Data on File, REF-211303, AZPLP. 2. Jackson DJ, Pelaia G, Emmanuel B, et al. Benralizumab in severe eosinophilic asthma by previous biologic use and key clinical subgroups: real-world XALOC-1 programme. Eur Respir J. 2024;64(1):2301521. 3. Carstens D, Maselli DJ, Mu F, et al. Real-world effectiveness study of benralizumab for severe eosinophilic asthma: ZEPHYR 2. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2023;11(7):2150-2161.e4. 4. FASENRA® (benralizumab) [package insert]. Wilmington, DE: AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP; September 2024. 5. Bleecker ER, FitzGerald JM, Chanez P, et al; SIROCCO study investigators. Efficacy and safety of benralizumab for patients with severe asthma uncontrolled with high-dosage inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting ß2-agonists (SIROCCO): a randomised, multicentre, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial. Lancet. 2016;388(10056):2115-2127. 6. Penz E, Rothe T, Dupont L, et al. Early and sustained asthma control and remission in real-world patients with severe eosinophilic asthma treated with benralizumab: XALOC-2. Clin Exp Allergy. Published online October 29, 2025. doi:10.1111/cea.70162 7. Penz E, Rothe T, Dupont L, et al. Early and sustained asthma control and remission in real-world patients with severe eosinophilic asthma treated with benralizumab: XALOC-2. Supplemental materials. Clin Exp Allergy. Published online October 29, 2025. doi:10.1111/cea.70162

1. FASENRA® (benralizumab) [package insert]. Wilmington, DE: AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP; September 2024. 2. Bleecker ER, FitzGerald JM, Chanez P, et al; SIROCCO study investigators. Efficacy and safety of benralizumab for patients with severe asthma uncontrolled with high-dosage inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting ß2-agonists (SIROCCO): a randomised, multicentre, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial. Lancet. 2016;388(10056):2115-2127. 3. FitzGerald JM, Bleecker ER, Nair P, et al; CALIMA study investigators. Benralizumab, an anti-interleukin-5 receptor α monoclonal antibody, as add-on treatment for patients with severe, uncontrolled, eosinophilic asthma (CALIMA): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial. Lancet. 2016;388(10056):2128-2141. 4. Nair P, Wenzel S, Rabe KF, et al. Oral glucocorticoid–sparing effect of benralizumab in severe asthma. N Engl J Med. 2017;376(25):2448-2458. 5. Busse WW, Bleecker ER, FitzGerald JM, et al; BORA study investigators. Long-term safety and efficacy of benralizumab in patients with severe, uncontrolled asthma: 1-year results from the BORA phase 3 extension trial. Lancet Respir Med. 2019;7(1):46 -59. 6. Korn S, Bourdin A, Chupp G, et al. Integrated safety and efficacy among patients receiving benralizumab for up to 5 years. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2021;9(12):4381-4392.e4. 7. Menzies-Gow A, Gurnell M, Heaney LG, et al. Oral corticosteroid elimination via a personalised reduction algorithm in adults with severe, eosinophilic asthma treated with benralizumab (PONENTE): a multicentre, open-label, single-arm study. Lancet Respir Med. 2022;10(1):47-58. 8. Menzies-Gow A, Corren J, Bel EH, et al. Corticosteroid tapering with benralizumab treatment for eosinophilic asthma: PONENTE trial. ERJ Open Res. 2019;5(3):00009-2019. 9. Menzies-Gow A, Gurnell M, Heaney LG, et al. Adrenal function recovery after durable oral corticosteroid sparing with benralizumab in the PONENTE study. Eur Respir J. 2022;60(6):2103226. 10. Data on File, REF -211303, AZPLP. 11. Jackson DJ, Pelaia G, Emmanuel B, et al. Benralizumab in severe eosinophilic asthma by previous biologic use and key clinical subgroups: real-world XALOC-1 programme. Eur Respir J. 2024;64(1):2301521. 12. Carstens D, Maselli DJ, Mu F, et al. Real-world effectiveness study of benralizumab for severe eosinophilic asthma: ZEPHYR 2. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2023;11(7):2150-2161.e4. 13. Penz E, Rothe T, Dupont L, et al. Early and sustained asthma control and remission in real-world patients with severe eosinophilic asthma treated with benralizumab: XALOC-2. Clin Exp Allergy. Published online October 29, 2025. doi:10.1111/cea.70162 14. Penz E, Rothe T, Dupont L, et al. Early and sustained asthma control and remission in real-world patients with severe eosinophilic asthma treated with benralizumab: XALOC-2. Supplemental materials. Clin Exp Allergy. Published online October 29, 2025. doi:10.1111/cea.70162

1. FASENRA® (benralizumab) [package insert]. Wilmington, DE: AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP; September 2024. 2. Korn S, Bourdin A, Chupp G, et al. Integrated safety and efficacy among patients receiving benralizumab for up to 5 years. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2021;9(12):4381-4392.e4. 3. Data on File, US-103275, AZPLP. 4. ClinicalTrials.gov [Internet]. National Library of Medicine (US). Identifier NCT00783289 ClinicalTrials.gov website. Accessed July 10, 2025. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00783289

1. FASENRA® (benralizumab) [package insert]. Wilmington, DE: AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP; September 2024. 2. Ferguson GT, Cole J, Aurivillius M, Roussel P, Barker P, Martin UJ; GRECO study investigators. Single-use autoinjector functionality and reliability for at-home administration of benralizumab for patients with severe asthma: GRECO trial results. J Asthma Allergy. 2019;12:363-373.

1. FASENRA® (benralizumab) [package insert]. Wilmington, DE: AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP; April 2024. 2. Bleecker ER, FitzGerald JM, Chanez P, et al; SIROCCO study investigators. Efficacy and safety of benralizumab for patients with severe asthma uncontrolled with high-dosage inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting ß2-agonists (SIROCCO): a randomised, multicentre, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial. Lancet. 2016;388(10056):2115-2127. 3. FitzGerald JM, Bleecker ER, Nair P, et al; CALIMA study investigators. Benralizumab, an anti-interleukin-5 receptor α monoclonal antibody, as add-on treatment for patients with severe, uncontrolled, eosinophilic asthma (CALIMA): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial. Lancet. 2016;388(10056):2128-2141.

1. Formulary data are provided by Fingertip Formulary® and are current as of October 6, 2025.