10th Sep 2020 09:17
(Alliance News) - AstraZeneca PLC on Thursday said a phase 3 trial of its drug Fasenra met both co-primary endpoints in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps.
The Ostro phase 3 trial showed that, compared with a placebo, Fasenra - the brand name for benralizumab - demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in the size of nasal polyps as well as in nasal blockage.
Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps is an inflammatory disease associated with elevated eosinophils, a type of white blood cell, in the upper respiratory tract and is characterised by benign growths called nasal polyps. These can cause nasal blockage and discharge, as well as reduced or lost sense of smell.
The drug produces a statistically significant improvement in the endoscopic total nasal polyp score and nasal blockage score versus placebo in patients with severe bilateral nasal polyposis who were still symptomatic despite treatment with standard of care. Current standard of care involves intranasal corticosteroids ans in come cases surgery.
Mene Pangalos, executive vice president, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, said: "Patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps suffer significantly with nasal congestion and a reduced quality of life. Current treatments, such as intranasal or oral corticosteroids and surgery to remove polyps, do not fully address patient needs. The OSTRO data indicate Fasenra can benefit patients with nasal polyps. We look forward to completing the full analysis and sharing these results at an upcoming medical meeting."
Fasenra has already been approved as a maintenance treatment for severe eosinophilic asthma in a number of countries including the US and Japan, as well as in the EU.
Separately, Astra also announced it will be transferring its American depositary receipts and US-listed debt securities to the Nasdaq Global Select Market and Nasdaq Bond exchange respectively. Its ADRs and US debt securities were previously listed on the New York Stock Exchange. These transfers are effective following market close September 24.
Marc Dunoyer, Astra's chief Financial Officer, said: "The change of stock exchange in the US will reduce overall listing cost for our equity and debt securities. Further, as a global science-led, patient-focused biopharmaceutical company, dedicated to pushing the boundaries of science to deliver life-changing medicines, we are excited to be joining many of the world's largest and most innovative companies on Nasdaq."
Shares in Astra were down 0.2% at 8,371.00 pence in London on Thursday morning.
By Anna Farley; [email protected]
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