How Biologics Bring Us Closer to an Asthma Cure

Published 5/6/2025

It was early 2015 when Tony Marshall was headed to his winter home in Delray Beach, Florida. After stepping off the airplane, he immediately felt ill. It was the beginning of a health spiral that dramatically impacted his daily life and put his career as a lawyer in danger. From January 2014 through spring of 2017, Marshall was consistently sick with asthma symptoms. During that time, Marshall was hospitalized twice due to asthma attacks. He underwent two sinus surgeries and was consistently placed on various treatments, including oral steroids. None of these efforts relieved his symptoms.

“I was in really bad shape, and my illness was preventing me from working. I went from full-time to part-time to basically nothing,” said Marshall. “This could not and would not be my new normal.”

Within two months of beginning biologic medication treatment at National Jewish Health, Marshall noticed a profound difference. He no longer had asthma symptoms and no longer required steroids. Now retired, he receives his treatment injection every 28 days. He exercises daily and is in great shape.

“After three-and-a-half years of hell, these treatments have been an absolute lifesaver,” said Marshall, punctuating an incredible health journey that also raises some questions. What exactly are biologics? How could a treatment not just reduce but completely eliminate asthma symptoms? Have we found an asthma cure?

What Are Biologics? 

True to their name, biologics are a type of medication that has been adapted from organic life. By manipulating proteins and other genetic materials in living cells, scientists are able to equip the body to combat specific illnesses. For instance, monoclonal antibodies are natural proteins that can be engineered to target specific molecules — making them useful in fighting cancer cells. Another type of biologic, a TNF inhibitor, is designed to bind to proteins that cause inflammation — which helps doctors treat conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s disease.

Harnessing the power of natural proteins makes biologic therapies a powerful asset in the fight against disease. And asthma ranks among the conditions where biologics have proven most effective. To call it a revolution in treatment is no understatement, especially given the possibility of “asthma remission.” By “remission,” doctors are referring to a complete halt to asthma symptoms, as in Tony Marshall’s case.

Research is now focused on expanding the use of biologics to broader patient populations. Currently, these biologics are injections, which often have to be self-administered at different intervals (every two, four, or even eight weeks). However, scientists are working to make biologics more convenient and effective. “There’s a lot of excitement about our ongoing research in examining oral and inhaled therapies, which would make biologics more palatable to more patients,” said Michael Wechsler, MD, director of the Cohen Family Asthma Institute. “We’re also busy working to identify predictors of asthma remission for patients most likely to benefit from these biologics.”

The Future of Biologics and Asthma Treatment 

Affecting more than 300 million people worldwide, asthma is the most common chronic respiratory disease. However, the biologic treatments not only significantly improve asthma symptoms, but work to help put it in remission. They also work for children with asthma and other co-existing allergic conditions. “Biologics have been impactful in getting many kids off steroids and tapering their medications,” said Ronina Covar, MD, associate co-director of the Cohen Family Asthma Institute. “We’ve seen dramatic improvements in their quality of life.”

National Jewish Health has been at the forefront of asthma biologics research, clinical guidance and patient care, serving as a center for clinical trials for all six of the currently approved biologics for asthma and participating in primary journal manuscripts. As research continues, the next generation of biologics promises to further improve outcomes, bringing us closer to a future where severe asthma is no longer a life-altering condition.

“This is the goal of precision, individualized medicine. We’re shutting down disease, and patients are going into asthma remission. Their symptoms are gone and they’re done using inhalers,” said immunologist and allergist Rohit Katial, MD. “Remission is not a cure, but it’s a step in the right direction. We’re at the next frontier of asthma treatment.”