AstraZeneca recently announced that its first respiratory biologic, benralizumab, saw positive results from two pivotal phase-three registrational trials, Calima and Sirocco.
Benralizumab is a potential new medicine as well as anti-eosinophil monoclonal antibody that is designed to reduce the yearly asthma exacerbation rates. The study shows that the drug achieved this primary endpoint by significantly reducing the asthma exacerbation more than the placebo.
“Severe asthma affects the health and quality of life of millions of people around the world, and exacerbations can be life threatening for these patients,” Sean Bohen, executive vice president of AstraZeneca's global medicines development, said. “We are pleased with the top-line results from these pivotal trials as they demonstrate the potential for benralizumab to improve outcomes for patients with severe asthma. Benralizumab is AstraZeneca’s first respiratory biologic and its development underscores our commitment to transform the treatment of asthma and chronic respiratory disease with our next generation of respiratory medicines.”
The purpose of the two trials was to determine the safety and efficacy of benralizumab when used as a two-dose regimen in addition to therapies that are used to control asthma.
“We are learning more about different subtypes of asthma, and these trials investigate a potential new treatment to address the underlying driver for some patients,” Mark FitzGerald, principal investigator in the Calima trial, said. “Within the appropriate patient population, the anti-eosinophil effect of benralizumab has the potential to deliver uniquely targeted treatment for patients whose asthma is driven by eosinophilic inflammation.”
