AstraZeneca: Anifrolumab antibody fails lupus study
(CercleFinance.com) - Human monoclonal antibody Anifrolumab — a drug developed by AstraZeneca's biotech arm MedImmune — has failed in a late-stage study to treat adult patients with moderate-to-severe systemic lupus erythematosus.
A phase III trial did not meet the primary endpoint of a statistically-significant reduction in disease activity, the companies said in a statement this morning.
"The result of this trial is disappointing for patients and the lupus community," commented AstraZeneca's Chief Medical Officer Sean Bohen.
Systemic lupus erythematosus is an auto-immune disease, in which the immune system attacks healthy tissue in the body instead of primarily targeting viruses.
The phase III trial randomised 373 eligible patients to receive a fixed-dose intravenous infusion of anifrolumab or placebo every 4 weeks.
On the London Stock Exchange, AstraZeneca shares' losses remained limited on Friday morning, falling 0.2% to 5,897 pence, one hour into trading.
Copyright (c) 2018 CercleFinance.com. All rights reserved.
A phase III trial did not meet the primary endpoint of a statistically-significant reduction in disease activity, the companies said in a statement this morning.
"The result of this trial is disappointing for patients and the lupus community," commented AstraZeneca's Chief Medical Officer Sean Bohen.
Systemic lupus erythematosus is an auto-immune disease, in which the immune system attacks healthy tissue in the body instead of primarily targeting viruses.
The phase III trial randomised 373 eligible patients to receive a fixed-dose intravenous infusion of anifrolumab or placebo every 4 weeks.
On the London Stock Exchange, AstraZeneca shares' losses remained limited on Friday morning, falling 0.2% to 5,897 pence, one hour into trading.
Copyright (c) 2018 CercleFinance.com. All rights reserved.