AstraZeneca Gets FDA Nod for Severe Asthma Drug

AstraZeneca received the FDA’s clearance for its severe asthma drug Fasenra (benralizumab), marking a breakthrough for the company which formerly focused largely on oncological treatments.

Fasenra won the FDA’s approval based on data that showed it reduced the annual asthma exacerbation rate by 51 percent compared with a placebo.

The drug’s wholesale price is expected to be $38,000 for the first year, and $28,000-$33,000 for subsequent years.