A major milestone for the EGPA community in the UK – and an encouraging signal for patients worldwide.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has officially recommended benralizumab (Fasenra) as a new treatment option for adults with relapsing or refractory eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA).

Why This Matters in the UK

Eligible patients in the UK will now have access to this NHS-funded biologic treatment for EGPA. Thanks to interim agreements, patients in England may even start receiving benralizumab immediately while the full rollout is being organized.

What the Research Shows

This decision is based on results from the international MANDARA trial, which compared benralizumab directly with mepolizumab (the only other licensed biologic for EGPA in the UK). Read more about this in our previous news item.

The positive results of this study are important for EGPA patients because the treatment may help patients not only achieve remission but also reduce long-term steroid use – something many in our community know is very important.

What This Means Globally

Although this recommendation applies only to the UK’s NHS, it is a positive signal for the international EGPA community. NICE is known for its careful review process, and its positive decision could influence health authorities and insurers in other countries.

That said, the status of benralizumab access differs by country. In some places, it may alreadybe approved for use, but not yet reimbursed. In others, approval processes are still ongoing.

Next Steps for Patients

• In the UK: Contact the patient organisation’s helpdesk at vasculitis UK for more information.
  Talk to your rheumatologist or specialist team about whether benralizumab might be suitable for you, and whether you meet the NHS criteria.
• Outside the UK: Check with your local healthcare providers and patient organizations about the situation in your country. This UK decision may strengthen advocacy efforts for wider access, but timelines will vary.

This development is a major step forward in EGPA care – not only for patients in the UK but also for the global community. Every new treatment option brings us closer to more personalized, effective, and less toxic approaches for living with EGPA.