12th May 2014 16:15
LONDON (Alliance News) - AstraZeneca PLC Monday announced a flurry of positive data from mid-stage trials from its biological research and development arm MedImmune's respiratory, inflammation and autoimmune portfolio.
Both rheumatoid arthritis treatment mavrilimumab and lupus treatment sifalimumab met their primary endpoints in Phase II studies, AstraZeneca said.
Mavrilimumab also produced "rapid improvement" in multiple symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and significant improvements in patient outcomes including disability, pain and fatigue, it said.
Sifalimumab met its primary endpoint, and additionally, the study achieved two secondary endpoints of improving skin rashes and fatigue.
It will present additional study results for both treatments at a future medical conference later in the year.
The company's Phase II programme for the treatment of lupus with anfirolumab is ongoing.
Additionally, AstraZeneca said it will announce Phase IIb data for its asthma treatments benralizumab and tralokinumab at the upcoming American Thoracic Society 2014 International Conference in San Diego on May 16 to 21.
AstraZeneca said that the data it will present at the conference shows "promising safety and efficacy outcomes."
The data from the studies underscores the strength and breath of the company's respiratory pipeline, AstraZeneca said.
"Through innovative, novel research, MedImmune has built a diverse emerging pipeline in Respiratory, Inflammation and Autoimmune disease, covering a broad set of patients," said Executive Vice President of MedImmune Bahija Jallal in a statement. "We are focused on advancing data and drug discovery to improve treatment options and clinical outcomes for patients."
The data comes as AstraZeneca prepares to present evidence to British politicians on the House Business Committee on Wednesday about a potential takeover approach from US drugmaker Pfizer Inc.
AstraZeneca rejected Pfizer's second approach earlier this month, an offer of GBP50 per share which would value AstraZeneca at GBP63 billion, saying it significantly undervalued its business.
The company has appealed to shareholders not to take action, reiterating last Tuesday that it expects its revenue to return to 2013 levels in 2017, and expects revenues to almost double over the five years after that.
Pfizer continued its political campaign over the potential takeover Monday, submitting a statement to the UK House of Commons ahead of the committee hearing to reiterate that the commitments it has made were legally binding.
The company confirmed the commitments it made in a letter to Prime Minister David Cameron to re-domicile its business in the UK, establish 20% of the combined companies research and development workforce in the UK, and complete AstraZeneca's R&D centre in Cambridge.
It said it will invite "at least two" AstraZeneca board members to the combined company's board and will hold board meetings for the new company in the UK.
In the letter to Cameron, Pfizer said it would keep its commitments for a minimum of five years.
Shares in AstraZeneca were trading up 0.3% at 4,613.34 pence Monday afternoon.
By Hana Stewart-Smith; [email protected]; @hanassallnews
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