RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 â–¼Omalizumab for severe asthma? JF Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin JO Drug Ther Bull FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd SP 86 OP 88 DO 10.1136/dtb.2006.441186 VO 44 IS 11 YR 2006 UL http://dtb.bmj.com/content/44/11/86.abstract AB Relevant BNF section: 3.4.2Up to 5% of patients with asthma have severe disease1,2 (i.e. around 250,000 people in the UK3). This means their asthma remains uncontrolled despite optimal treatment with high-dose inhaled corticosteroid plus additional therapy or a regular oral corticosteroid,4 and with no other explanations such as poor adherence to therapy and other diagnoses such as vocal cord dysfunction. â–¼Omalizumab (pronounced oh-ma-liz-oo-mab) (Xolair - Novartis) is a monoclonal antibody to IgE that is available in the UK as add-on therapy for people aged 12 years and over with severe persistent asthma that has an important allergic component. What benefits, if any, does omalizumab offer to such patients?