Wednesday, October 29, 2025

AstraZeneca Launches Awareness Campaign “Time to Refresh Your Asthma Therapy?” – Focus on Modern Biologics Instead of Long-Term Cortisone Use

In Germany, many people with severe asthma are still treated with steroid tablets – contrary to current medical guideline recommendations. The result is avoidable side effects and a heavy burden on patients and the healthcare system. Yet, modern antibody-based therapies (biologics) have long been available, targeting the root cause of the disease.

Against this backdrop, AstraZeneca is launching the nationwide awareness campaign “Time to refresh your asthma therapy?”. The goal is to highlight that medical progress only makes a difference when it reaches patients – helping to improve care and enhance quality of life.

Why the Campaign Matters

Around 650,000 people in Germany live with severe asthma. About one in six takes steroid tablets regularly or repeatedly – and thus accepts significant side effects. Current medical guidelines recommend biologics as the preferred treatment option once inhaled therapies have been exhausted or if long-term corticosteroid therapy is needed.

These biologics are specially developed antibodies that directly target the inflammatory processes underlying asthma. They can significantly reduce symptoms and asthma attacks – and in many cases even enable a steroid-free remission. However, only about one in four eligible patients currently receives this type of treatment.

Education and Self-Test for Patients

The new AstraZeneca campaign aims to close this gap. Many patients are not aware that biologics have been available for years as effective and well-tolerated options. Through nationwide information efforts, AstraZeneca raises awareness of the risks of long-term steroid use and encourages patients to discuss modern therapies with their doctors.

A key part of the initiative is the self-test on www.mit-asthma-leben.de: With just a few questions, users can find out how well their asthma is currently controlled. If the result indicates “not well controlled” or “poorly controlled,” a visit to a respiratory specialist is recommended to explore whether an individualized treatment could be possible – potentially without steroid tablets.

“At AstraZeneca, we see it as part of our responsibility to contribute to better care for respiratory diseases,” says Dr. Maher Najjar, Business Unit Director Respiratory & Immunology at AstraZeneca Germany. “Education and awareness are key to ensuring every patient receives the most effective therapy.”

The campaign was developed in close consultation with medical experts. Scientific leadership is provided by Prof. Dr. Christian Taube (University Medicine Essen) and Prof. Dr. Felix Herth (Thoraxklinik at Heidelberg University Hospital).