COPD Treatment Landscape Expands, Yet Significant Gaps in Disease Control and Access Persist, According to Spherix Global Insights

Persistent access barriers leave many treatment candidates without advanced therapy as physicians look for stronger disease control and fewer exacerbations.

Exton, PA, Sept. 08, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Despite recent treatment advances in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), physicians continue to report substantial unmet need, particularly among patients with severe disease and a high risk of exacerbations. New research from Spherix Global Insights finds that even among patients receiving several of today’s advanced therapies, physicians estimate that only about half are well managed, while access barriers prevent additional treatment candidates from receiving these options.

The findings also reveal important differences in how COPD is managed across specialties. PCPs more commonly manage lower-risk patients and refer or co-manage complex cases, while pulmonologists treat a greater concentration of severe, high-risk patients and more often manage their care independently. These differences extend to prescribing behavior, treatment barriers, and perceptions of emerging therapies.

Findings from Spherix Global Insights’ Market Dynamix™: COPD (US) 2026, fielded March 10–19, 2026, reveal that 71% of both PCPs (n=70) and pulmonologists (n=38) report “extremely high” unmet need for new treatments in GOLD 4, or very severe, COPD. Unmet need is similarly concentrated among Group E patients, who are at increased risk of exacerbations, with 57% of PCPs and 71% of pulmonologists rating unmet need in this group as extremely high.

Advanced Therapy Candidates Remain Untreated

The findings underscore a persistent gap between patient candidacy and advanced therapy use. Depending on the therapy and physician specialty, roughly one-quarter to one-half of patients not currently receiving a given therapy are considered candidates for Dupixent (dupilumab, Sanofi and Regeneron), Nucala (mepolizumab, GSK), Daliresp (roflumilast, AstraZeneca), or Ohtuvayre (ensifentrine, Merck).

Physicians cite out-of-pocket costs, lack of insurance coverage, adequate control on existing treatment, and patient refusal as key reasons potentially eligible patients remain untreated. Reimbursement challenges are among the leading barriers to use of Dupixent, Nucala and Ohtuvayre, cited by at least half of both PCPs and pulmonologists. Familiarity presents an additional obstacle for some therapies, particularly among PCPs, while pulmonologists more often cite a lack of appropriate candidates for Dupixent and Nucala.

Disease Control Remains an Unmet Need Even Among Treated Patients

The treatment gap extends beyond access. Even among patients receiving advanced therapies, physicians estimate that only about half are well managed on Dupixent, Nucala, or Ohtuvayre. Perceived disease control is lower among patients treated with Daliresp, particularly in pulmonologists’ practices, where physicians estimate that just 35% of treated patients are well managed. Together, the findings suggest that expanding access alone may not fully address COPD’s remaining unmet need; physicians are also looking for therapies capable of delivering stronger disease control.

Reducing Exacerbations Sets the Bar for Future Therapies

Reducing exacerbations remains a key treatment priority, cited by 91% of PCPs and 97% of pulmonologists. More than eight in ten across both specialties also prioritize improving patients’ health status, quality of life, and daily functioning. These expectations extend to future therapies: PCPs prioritize quality-of-life improvement, sustained efficacy, and fewer exacerbations, while 87% of pulmonologists rank exacerbation reduction among their three most important attributes for a new COPD treatment.

Pipeline Awareness Remains Limited as the Competitive Bar Rises

Yet awareness of emerging COPD options remains relatively low. Fewer than one-third of physicians can identify a late-stage therapy in development for COPD without prompting. Among pulmonologists, Tezspire (tezepelumab, Amgen and AstraZeneca), which is approved for severe asthma and being investigated in COPD, leads the emerging therapies evaluated in familiarity, perceived degree of advance, and interest in its potential availability for COPD, likely reflecting pulmonologists’ experience with the therapy in asthma.

Physicians are also forming views about which mechanisms may have the greatest future potential in COPD. Half of both PCPs and pulmonologists rank PDE3/4 inhibition among the three mechanisms with the greatest potential in COPD, while TSLP is selected by 40% of pulmonologists compared with 20% of PCPs. Importantly, the benchmark for future entrants is increasingly being set by currently available advanced therapies: nearly three-quarters of PCPs and 61% of pulmonologists identify Dupixent as the most compelling head-to-head comparator for a new advanced therapy.

As COPD development expands beyond the traditional treatment paradigm, manufacturers will face a dual challenge: demonstrating meaningful improvement over an increasingly established standard of care while ensuring that access and physician familiarity do not become additional barriers to adoption. The findings suggest that differentiation on exacerbation reduction and overall disease control will be particularly important as new therapies enter an increasingly competitive market.

Spherix Expands COPD Research to Europe

Spherix Global Insights is also expanding its COPD coverage to the EU4+UK (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom) to examine how treatment patterns, physician perceptions, and access vary across markets. Together, the U.S. and EU4+UK studies will provide manufacturers with a cross-market view of the evolving COPD landscape.

About Market Dynamix™

Market Dynamix™ is an independent service that provides an in-depth analysis of markets anticipated to experience a paradigm shift within the next three to five years. The service examines market size, current treatment approaches, unmet needs, and physician perspectives on the potential impact of emerging therapies.

About Spherix Global Insights

Spherix is a leading independent market intelligence and advisory firm that delivers commercial value to the global life sciences industry, across the brand lifecycle.

The seasoned team of Spherix experts provides an unbiased, holistic view of the competitive landscape within rapidly evolving specialty markets, including cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic disease, dermatology, gastroenterology, hematology, nephrology, neuroscience, oncology, ophthalmology, respiratory, rheumatology, and market access. Clients stay ahead of the curve by leveraging insights from the extensive Spherix Physician Community, complemented by deep expertise in payer dynamics and access considerations.

As a trusted advisor and industry thought leader, Spherix’s unparalleled market insights and advisory services empower clients to make better decisions and unlock opportunities for growth.

To learn more about Spherix Global Insights, visit spherixglobalinsights.com or connect through LinkedIn.

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NOTICE: All company, brand or product names in this press release are trademarks of their respective holders. The findings and opinions expressed within are based on Spherix Global Insights’ analysis and do not imply a relationship with or endorsement of the companies or brands mentioned in this press release.

Andy Stankus, Dermatology Franchise Head
Spherix Global Insights
484-879-4284
andy.stankus@spherixglobalinsights.com