Biologics for Treating Asthma

Asthma is one of most common diseases in the United States, affecting around 11 in 100 women. It’s a chronic (long-lasting) condition that causes swelling in your airway, making it hard to breathe. Asthma can be controlled when it’s treated but may be deadly if it’s not. In 2023, asthma was linked to more than 3,700 deaths in the U.S. While the disease affects people of all ages, genders and ethnicities, Black Americans are more likely to have asthma than people of other races — and three times more likely to die from the disease.The good news? Many effective treatments for asthma exist, and researchers are always working on developing new and better ones. Biologics are one type of medication that can help people with asthma manage their disease. What are biologics?A biologic is a medication made from a natural source. These sources include:Plant cellsAnimal cellsMicroorganisms such as bacteria and yeastThe fact that they’re made from living materials is what sets biologics apart from most drugs, which are made from chemicals. To create a biologic, scientists grow specially designed living cells under very specific conditions, often for several weeks. After the cells are grown, sci...