2 The technology

Description of the technology	Reslizumab (Cinqaero, Teva) is an interleukin‑5 inhibitor that reduces eosinophil numbers and activity.
Marketing authorisation	Reslizumab has a marketing authorisation in the UK as 'add-on therapy in adult patients with severe eosinophilic asthma inadequately controlled despite high-dose inhaled corticosteroids plus another medicinal product for maintenance treatment'.
Adverse reactions	The most common adverse reaction is increased blood creatine phosphokinase, which is transient and asymptomatic. For full details of adverse reactions and contraindications, see the summary of product characteristics.
Recommended dose and schedule	Intravenous infusion based on body weight once every 4 weeks. For patients between 35 kg and 199 kg the recommended dose is achieved using a vial-based dosing scheme. For patients below 35 kg or above 199 kg the recommended dose is 3 mg/kg body weight.
Price	The list price is £499.99 per 100‑mg vial and £124.99 per 25‑mg vial (excluding VAT). The company has agreed a patient access scheme with the Department of Health. This scheme provides a simple discount to the list price of reslizumab, with the discount applied at the point of purchase or invoice. The level of the discount is commercial in confidence. The Department of Health considered that this patient access scheme does not constitute an excessive administrative burden on the NHS.