First FDA Approved Drug Treatment for EoE!
The first drug (as of May 2022) has been approved by the U.S. F.D.A. for the treatment of Eosinophilic Esophagitis. This is BIG news for the EoE world. The approved drug, called Dupilumab (Dupixent) is a biologic, and drug manufacturers have been trying to get these drugs approved for a while now. This should pave the way for other drugs that have shown to be successful in treating EoE to be approved as well. Note that Dupixent has only been approved for 12 year olds and older at least 88 lbs in weight.
Biologics are injections made from living organisms which are the latest drugs being used to treat many diseases today. Biologics are more difficult to manufacture, and as a result are much more expensive. That’s one of the reasons this is such big news for the EoE community. The FDA approval will pave the way for insurance to cover these treatments for EoE patients. Previously insurance would not cover any of them, and they were far too expensive to pay for out of pocket (up to $4,000 per shot or more!).
Dupixent targets eosinophils by blocking a type of protein called an interleukin, or IL, from binding to their cell receptors. This essentially reduces or eliminates the eosinophils from existence in a patient’s esophagus (or other areas), relieving the symptoms that come along with them.
Many in the EoE community have been waiting for this day where EoE is recognized as a disease that needs solutions via drug treatment, especially for those who cannot find relief with diet alone. We will be watching to see what’s next to come in with this new FDA focus and approval for EoE relief.
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