29th Jul 2009 07:00
BTG plc: AstraZeneca to progress CytoFab™ into Phase IIb study
London, UK, 29 July 2009: BTG plc (LSE: BGC), the specialty pharmaceuticals company, today announces that its partner AstraZeneca has confirmed its intention to progress CytoFab™, an investigational biological medicine under development as a treatment for severe sepsis, into a Phase IIb study.
This decision follows the successful completion by AstraZeneca of a Phase IIa study of CytoFab™ in 70 patients with severe sepsis. The Phase IIa study was designed to assess the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of single and multiple intravenous infusions of CytoFab™.
The Phase IIb study in approximately 300 patients with severe sepsis is anticipated to start recruiting in early 2010.
Louise Makin, BTG's CEO, commented: "We are encouraged by AstraZeneca's decision to progress CytoFab™ into a Phase IIb study. We look forward to continuing to work with AstraZeneca to develop CytoFab™ as a potential treatment for severe sepsis, which is responsible for many thousands of deaths each year and remains a significant unmet medical need."
John Rex, Vice-President for Clinical Infection, AstraZeneca, said: "AstraZeneca is aiming to build a leading franchise in the treatment of infectious diseases through our own research and collaborations such as this partnership with BTG. Sepsis is a serious medical problem and CytoFab™ represents a novel approach to this area of unmet medical need."
For further information contact:
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BTG |
Financial Dynamics |
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Andy Burrows, Director of Investor Relations +44 (0)20 7575 1741; mobile: +44 (0)7990 530605 Rolf Soderstrom, Chief Financial Officer +44 (0)20 7575 0000 |
Ben Atwell +44 (0)20 7831 3113 |
About BTG
BTG is an international specialty pharmaceuticals company that is developing and commercialising products targeting critical care, cancer, neurological and other disorders. The company is also seeking to acquire new products to develop and market to hospital specialists, and is building a sustainable business financed by revenues from sales of its critical care products and from royalties and milestone payments on partnered products. For further information, visit: www.btgplc.com.
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