Burjeel Medical City Introduces Six-Month Biologic Treatment for Chronic Sinusitis With Nasal Polyps in the Gulf
Burjeel Medical City (BMC), the flagship healthcare facility of Burjeel Holdings, has administered Exdensur (depemokimab), an ultra-long-acting biologic treatment for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), for the first time in the Gulf region. The treatment was administered with the support and oversight of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), marking a significant development in the availability of advanced treatment options for patients living with persistent and recurring sinus conditions.
The introduction of depemokimab provides another treatment option for eligible patients whose symptoms continue to return despite conventional medical management and previous surgical interventions. Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps is a long-term inflammatory condition affecting the nose and sinuses. It can cause persistent nasal blockage, reduced or lost sense of smell, recurrent sinus infections and other symptoms that may interfere with daily activities and overall quality of life.
Unlike conventional treatments that may require frequent administration or ongoing symptom management, depemokimab is designed to provide sustained control of underlying inflammation over an extended period. The biologic treatment is administered through an injection under the skin, with a dosing interval of once every six months. This extended interval may offer eligible patients a more convenient treatment schedule while addressing an important inflammatory mechanism associated with the condition.
The first administration at Burjeel Medical City involved a 43-year-old Emirati male patient who had been experiencing chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps for more than five years. His symptoms included persistent nasal obstruction, loss of smell and repeated sinus infections. Despite undergoing two sinus surgeries, the patient experienced only temporary relief, with symptoms eventually returning. The introduction of depemokimab offered a new treatment approach for managing his recurring condition.
A New Option for Patients With Recurring Sinus Symptoms
Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps can be difficult to manage, particularly when symptoms continue despite standard medical treatment and surgery. Patients may experience repeated episodes of nasal blockage, difficulty breathing through the nose, reduced ability to smell and recurring infections. These symptoms can affect sleep, daily routines, professional responsibilities and general well-being.
For some patients, conventional treatments provide meaningful relief. However, others continue to experience inflammation and recurring symptoms even after receiving medical treatment or undergoing surgery. In such cases, specialists may need to consider additional treatment approaches based on the patient’s medical history, disease severity and underlying inflammatory characteristics.
The patient treated at Burjeel Medical City had experienced the condition for more than five years. His medical history included two previous sinus surgeries, but the benefits did not last, and his symptoms eventually returned. This highlights the challenges faced by individuals with persistent disease who continue to require specialist attention after conventional interventions.
Depemokimab represents an additional option for appropriately selected patients. The treatment is designed to target an important driver of type 2 inflammation, which plays a role in certain cases of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps. By addressing this inflammatory pathway, the therapy aims to reduce the activity of immune cells involved in recurring disease symptoms.
How Depemokimab Works
Depemokimab is an ultra-long-acting biologic treatment designed to target a key mechanism associated with type 2 inflammation. In certain patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, this inflammatory process contributes to the development and persistence of symptoms. By targeting the underlying inflammatory pathway, the treatment aims to provide sustained disease control rather than focusing only on temporary relief from individual symptoms.
The treatment is administered as a subcutaneous injection, meaning it is delivered under the skin. Its extended duration of action allows it to be administered once every six months. This dosing schedule is one of the important features highlighted by Burjeel Medical City, as it may reduce the frequency of treatment administration for eligible patients.
The six-month interval is particularly relevant for individuals managing a long-term condition alongside personal and professional responsibilities. Patients with recurring symptoms may need repeated medical consultations, medication adjustments and additional procedures. A biologic treatment designed for longer-lasting inflammatory control may offer another approach to managing the condition under specialist supervision.
However, depemokimab is not intended for every individual experiencing sinus problems. According to the information provided by Burjeel Medical City, it may be considered for eligible adults with chronic sinusitis and nasal polyps who have high type 2 inflammation, have not achieved adequate control through medical and surgical management, and experience a significant impact on their daily lives. A specialist assessment is necessary to determine whether the treatment is appropriate.
Patient Shows Improvement Following Treatment
The first patient to receive depemokimab at Burjeel Medical City was a 43-year-old Emirati man who had been living with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps for over five years. His condition was associated with several persistent symptoms, including nasal obstruction, loss of smell and recurrent sinus infections. These symptoms continued to affect him despite previous treatment efforts.
The patient had undergone two sinus surgeries in an attempt to manage the condition. Although the procedures initially provided relief, the improvement was temporary, and the symptoms eventually returned. His experience reflects the difficulties that can arise when chronic inflammatory sinus disease remains active despite conventional interventions.
Following administration of depemokimab, the patient showed improvement in his nasal and sinus symptoms and regained his sense of smell. These reported improvements represent an encouraging initial outcome for the patient. They also demonstrate the potential role of biologic therapies in the management of selected individuals with difficult-to-control chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps.
The treatment was administered by the ENT team led by Dr. Yogesh More, Consultant and Co-Director of the Burjeel ENT Head & Neck Institute. The specialist team was responsible for the treatment process and clinical oversight. The administration marks the introduction of this ultra-long-acting biologic treatment at the facility and represents a new development in its approach to managing complex ENT conditions.
Dr. Yogesh More Highlights the Role of Biologic Therapies
Dr. Yogesh More, Consultant and Co-Director of the Burjeel ENT Head & Neck Institute, explained that chronic sinusitis is commonly managed through treatments such as antihistamines and nasal sprays, while surgery may be considered for more advanced cases. However, some patients continue to experience recurring disease even after these interventions.
He noted that biologic therapies provide an additional option for patients who do not achieve adequate and lasting relief through conventional approaches. By targeting specific inflammatory mechanisms, these treatments aim to address underlying disease activity rather than focusing solely on individual symptoms.
Dr. More also highlighted the potential importance of depemokimab’s six-month dosing interval. For eligible patients, a treatment administered once every six months may make it easier to balance ongoing medical care with personal and professional commitments. The extended interval is intended to support sustained management of the condition while reducing the frequency of injections.
The specialist emphasized that the treatment’s potential benefits must be considered within an appropriate clinical framework. Patients need to undergo a detailed assessment to determine whether their symptoms, disease characteristics and medical history make them suitable candidates. Treatment decisions should be based on individual clinical needs rather than the dosing schedule alone.
Reducing the Burden of Recurrent Disease and Additional Surgery
One of the challenges associated with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps is the possibility of recurring symptoms after treatment. While surgery may help address nasal polyps and improve sinus function, some patients experience a return of inflammation and symptoms over time. This can lead to further consultations and consideration of additional medical or surgical interventions.
Dr. More emphasized that biologic treatment, when used in patients selected according to appropriate clinical criteria, may help reduce the risk of disease recurrence and the need for further surgery. This is an important consideration for patients who have already undergone procedures but continue to experience significant symptoms.
For patients with persistent disease, the objective of treatment is not simply to provide temporary relief. Long-term management also involves addressing the underlying inflammatory process and monitoring the condition over time. Biologic therapies may form part of this approach for selected patients who meet the relevant clinical requirements.
The availability of a treatment with a six-month dosing interval may also provide practical advantages for patients who require ongoing management. Fewer scheduled administrations may help simplify aspects of treatment planning, although patients will still require appropriate medical follow-up and monitoring according to their specialist’s recommendations.
Importance of Specialist Evaluation and Accurate Diagnosis
Burjeel Medical City has emphasized the importance of consulting an ENT specialist when symptoms persist or repeatedly return. Chronic nasal blockage, loss of smell and recurrent sinus infections should not automatically be treated as routine or temporary complaints, particularly when they continue over an extended period or interfere with everyday activities.
A thorough medical evaluation can help identify the underlying cause of symptoms and determine whether nasal polyps or chronic inflammatory disease are present. Specialists can assess the patient’s medical history, previous treatments, surgical outcomes and the severity of the condition before recommending an appropriate treatment plan.
The identification of type 2 inflammation is also relevant when considering depemokimab. The treatment is intended for a specific group of eligible adults with chronic rhinosinusitis and nasal polyps who have high type 2 inflammation and have not achieved adequate results from medical and surgical management. Clinical assessment is therefore essential to determine whether the therapy is suitable.
Dr. More encouraged patients experiencing persistent or recurring symptoms to seek specialist advice for an accurate diagnosis and individualized treatment recommendations. This approach helps ensure that care is selected according to the patient’s specific condition and medical requirements.
Advancing ENT Treatment Options in the Gulf Region
The administration of depemokimab at Burjeel Medical City represents a milestone in the introduction of advanced biologic treatment options for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps in the Gulf region. The procedure was carried out with the support and oversight of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, highlighting the role of healthcare institutions and regulatory oversight in bringing advanced treatment approaches to patients.
The introduction of this therapy also reflects the growing role of targeted biologic medicines in managing chronic inflammatory conditions. Rather than relying exclusively on conventional symptom management or surgery, specialists may consider treatments that address specific pathways involved in disease activity for appropriately selected patients.
For healthcare providers, access to additional treatment options can support more individualized approaches to complex conditions. Patients who continue to experience recurring symptoms despite previous interventions may benefit from specialist evaluation to determine whether newer therapies are appropriate for their circumstances.
Burjeel Medical City’s introduction of depemokimab is part of its wider focus on providing advanced, evidence-based treatments for complex and long-standing ENT conditions. The facility’s milestone demonstrates its efforts to bring newer therapeutic approaches closer to patients in the region.
Burjeel Medical City’s Focus on Advanced and Evidence-Based Care
As the flagship facility of Burjeel Holdings, Burjeel Medical City continues to focus on the management of complex medical conditions through specialized clinical services and advanced treatment approaches. The administration of depemokimab adds another development to its ENT care offering, particularly for patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps who have not achieved adequate relief through conventional treatment.
The Burjeel ENT Head & Neck Institute played a central role in administering the treatment. The procedure was led by Dr. Yogesh More and his specialist team, bringing the therapy into the clinical care pathway for an eligible patient with a long history of recurring symptoms.
The facility’s approach emphasizes the importance of combining medical innovation with careful patient selection and specialist supervision. Although the six-month dosing interval offers a potential convenience advantage, the decision to use the treatment must be based on clinical suitability and the patient’s individual needs.
The reported improvement in the first treated patient, including the return of his sense of smell, provides an encouraging early clinical experience at the facility. It also highlights the potential importance of expanding treatment options for patients whose condition remains difficult to manage through conventional approaches.
A New Development in the Management of Chronic Sinusitis
The first administration of Exdensur (depemokimab) at Burjeel Medical City marks an important development in the availability of ultra-long-acting biologic treatment for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps in the Gulf region. The therapy is designed to target an underlying inflammatory mechanism and provide sustained control over a six-month dosing interval for eligible adult patients.
For individuals who continue to experience nasal obstruction, loss of smell and recurrent sinus infections despite medical treatment and surgery, the introduction of this therapy provides another option to discuss with an ENT specialist. Its use depends on appropriate clinical criteria, including the presence of high type 2 inflammation and inadequate response to previous medical and surgical management.
Through this milestone, Burjeel Medical City reinforces its focus on bringing advanced, evidence-based therapies to patients with complex ENT conditions. The facility’s introduction of depemokimab highlights the potential role of targeted biologic treatments in long-term disease management and the importance of individualized care for patients living with recurring sinus inflammation.
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