23rd Sep 2014 12:27
LONDON (Alliance News) - AstraZeneca PLC Tuesday said its MedImmune arm has been given a fast-track designation by the US Food and Drug Administration for the MEDI3902 investigational monoclonal antibody.
MEDI3902 is designed to prevent nosocomial pneumonia caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a highly drug-resistant bacterial pathogen which causes serious disease in hospitalised patients.
In pre-clinical trials, MEDI3902 was found to produce enhanced effects for both the prevention and treatment of the bacterial infection in multiple animal models, AstraZeneca said.
"We are pleased that the FDA has granted Fast Track designation for MEDI3902, recognising the unique science behind this investigational monoclonal antibody and the importance of accelerating development of new medicines that may help prevent serious bacterial infections, such as nosocomial pneumonia, rather than solely relying on antibiotics to treat them," said Steve Projan, Senior Vice President for Research and Development and Infections Disease & Vaccines at MedImmune.
MedImmune is the biologics research and development arm of AstraZeneca.
AstraZeneca shares were down 5.4% to 4,331.5 pence on Tuesday on the back of the crackdown in the US on tax inversion deals by US companies. AstraZeneca was the subject of a bid earlier this year by Pfizer Inc in a deal that, if successful, would have constituted a tax inversion by the US drugs company.
By Sam Unsted; [email protected]; @SamUAtAlliance
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