TABLE 2.

Eligibility criteria for the three currently licensed biologics, based on manufacturers’ recommendations

Biologics	Licensed eligibility criteria
Omalizumab	1. Age ≥6 years
	2. Uncontrolled asthma with frequent symptoms and multiple documented severe asthma exacerbations despite daily high-dose inhaled corticosteroids, plus a long-acting inhaled β-agonist#
	3. IgE mediated asthma (positive skin-prick test and/or raised specific IgE).
	4. For age ≥12 years, reduced lung function (FEV1<80%)
	5. Total IgE over 30 and up to 700 or 1300 IU·mL−1 according to age
Mepolizumab	1. Age ≥6 years
	2. Baseline blood eosinophils ≥150 cells·μL−1
	3. ≥2 exacerbations a year (systemic corticosteroids use, unplanned medical visits/hospital admissions)
Dupilumab	1. Aged ≥12 years
	2. Eosinophilic/type 2 asthma
	3. Or, oral corticosteroid dependent or with comorbid moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis

^#: We defined uncontrolled asthma as an asthma control test score of ≤19, or “partly controlled/uncontrolled” using the Global Initiative for Asthma assessment questions, or having ≥2 exacerbations a year, or a combination. FEV₁: forced expiratory volume in 1 s.