MedImmune to present Phase IIb asthma data on benralizumab and tralokinumab at ATS conference

Download PDF Copy

Reviewed

May 14 2014

AstraZeneca today announced that MedImmune, its global biologics research and development arm, will present Phase IIb data on two novel investigational molecules – benralizumab and tralokinumab – at the upcoming American Thoracic Society (ATS) 2014 International Conference being held in San Diego, California, 16-21 May.

In the Phase IIb data being presented, both benralizumab and tralokinumab show promising safety and efficacy outcomes, suggesting they may offer important new therapeutic options for patients with specific forms of severe, uncontrolled asthma.

“AstraZeneca is pioneering innovative research and exploring novel pathways in respiratory disease, one of our core therapeutic areas, and we have a diverse emerging pipeline covering a broad set of patients. Our approach leverages AstraZeneca and MedImmune’s combined expertise in monoclonal antibody research with our broad experience in drug development,” said Dr. Bahija Jallal, Executive Vice President, MedImmune. “We are applying translational approaches and generating clinical data that put us in a good position to understand the biology, disease phenotypes and new drug combinations that will help drive step-changes in clinical outcomes for asthma patients.”

MedImmune is presenting Phase IIb asthma data on benralizumab, an investigational monoclonal antibody binding to the interleukin-5 receptor alpha (IL-5Rα). Benralizumab has a unique mode of action as it binds to IL-5Rα on eosinophils and subsequently depletes eosinophils by inducing antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity. Eosinophils are white blood cells that are a key target in inflammatory respiratory diseases such as asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Scientific literature supports that elevated eosinophil levels are associated with the cause and severity of asthma and asthma exacerbations, as well as COPD exacerbations.

In the Phase IIb study, subjects with uncontrolled severe asthma and elevated baseline blood eosinophil levels taking benralizumab had a statistically significant reduction in their asthma exacerbation rate (AER), as well as improvements in lung function (FEV1) and asthma control versus subjects taking placebo over a period of one year. Specifically, the study showed that benralizumab decreased blood eosinophil counts to very low levels after the first dose, and reduced asthma attacks by approximately 40-70 percent depending on dose received and baseline blood eosinophil level. (Abstract 3699, presentation 19 May at 2:00pm PDT)

The company is also presenting Phase IIb data for tralokinumab, a human monoclonal antibody which potently and selectively neutralises interleukin-13 (IL-13), a key cytokine considered to be a central mediator of asthma. The study recruited a broad (all-comer) intent-to-treat population with severe uncontrolled asthma allowing subgroup analyses of sub-populations with biomarkers indicating an IL-13 pathogenesis. The study did not meet its primary endpoint of reduction in AER in the all-comer population versus placebo. However, reversible and periostin-high subgroup AER reductions were 54 percent (-65, 87 percent) and when excluding subjects receiving oral corticosteroids, 67 percent (2, 89 percent). Improved lung function (FEV1) and improvement in patient-reported measures and health-related quality of life (AQLQ) were observed in periostin-high subgroups of patients along with high airway reversibility in patients who received treatment every two weeks versus placebo. (A6670, presentation 20 May at 8:15am PDT)

As previously communicated, benralizumab is currently in Phase III development for asthma. A personalised healthcare strategy is included in the company’s trial design and a simple blood test is used to identify patients with elevated blood eosinophils who are most likely to respond to therapy.

The company intends to move tralokinumab into Phase III development for asthma and benralizumab into Phase IIl for COPD later this year. Further details will be communicated once the first patient is dosed in a Phase III programme.

In the benralizumab and tralokinumab trials to date, frequencies of treatment emergent serious adverse events/adverse events have been similar within treatment and placebo groups.

“It is encouraging that benralizumab is positively affecting lung function and asthma control in addition to reducing the rate of exacerbations in patients with elevated eosinophils. Tralokinumab is also showing positive effect in patients with potential biomarkers for IL-13, which helps us identify a path forward in Phase III trials,” said Dr. “Our scientists are using the necessary biomarkers to identify which patients are most likely to benefit from our respiratory therapies, opening doors of exploration into new and improved treatment pathways for patient care.”

AstraZeneca and MedImmune will present a combined 33 abstracts at ATS. Other accepted abstracts of note include:

Dosing studies of PT003, a combination of glycopyrronium and formoterol fumarate in a pressurised metered-dose inhaler being developed by AstraZeneca’s Pearl Therapeutics. (A3758 and A3759, both presentations 19 May at 2:00pm PDT)

Analyses of database and survey data examining the association between higher sputum and blood eosinophils and more frequent asthma attacks. (A2311, presentation 18 May at 2:00pm PDT, and A4235, presentation 20 May at 8:15am PDT)