AstraZeneca’s Airsupra Shines in BATURA Trial, Offering New Hope for Mild Asthma Management

AstraZeneca has announced groundbreaking results from the Phase IIIb BATURA trial, where its anti-inflammatory reliever rescue therapy, Airsupra (albuterol/budesonide), demonstrated remarkable efficacy in treating patients with mild asthma. The study’s findings, published in the New England Journal of Medicine and presented at the American Thoracic Society (ATS) 2025 International Conference, revealed statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements across all primary and secondary endpoints compared to albuterol alone.

The BATURA trial evaluated Airsupra, used as-needed, against the commonly prescribed rescue therapy albuterol. Results showed that Airsupra reduced the risk of severe exacerbations by 47% (5.1% vs. 9.1%) compared to albuterol alone, with a hazard ratio of 0.53 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.39, 0.73; p<0.001). The overwhelming efficacy observed at an interim analysis led to the early termination of the trial, as recommended by an Independent Data Monitoring Committee.

These findings build on previous data from the MANDALA and DENALI trials, collectively confirming that Airsupra offers superior protection against severe exacerbations across all asthma severities. Notably, the results align with the latest recommendations from the Global Initiative for Asthma, which advocates for anti-inflammatory reliever combination therapy as a preferred option for mild asthma.

“BATURA’s unprecedented results provide an opportunity to transform 50 years of clinical practice in asthma care,” said Dr. Craig LaForce, Medical Director of North Carolina Clinical Research. “For decades, patients have relied on albuterol-only rescue treatment, leaving them exposed to worsening inflammation. Airsupra not only provides immediate relief but also actively prevents severe asthma attacks.”

Tonya Winders, President of the Global Allergy and Airways Patient Platform (GAAPP), highlighted the value of anti-inflammatory reliever therapy, emphasizing its potential to reduce severe exacerbations in patients with mild asthma whose risks are often underestimated.

Sharon Barr, Executive Vice President and Head of BioPharmaceuticals R&D at AstraZeneca, expressed optimism about Airsupra’s impact, stating, “These exciting results reinforce Airsupra’s superiority over albuterol alone and support its use as the preferred standard of care for asthma rescue therapy.”

AstraZeneca’s BATURA trial is expected to significantly influence global clinical practice, offering patients with mild asthma a more effective way to manage their condition and reduce the risk of severe attacks.