CytoFab: Development discontinued

BTG said that AstraZeneca discontinued development of AZD9773 and will return all rights to BTG after top-line data from a double-blind, international Phase IIb trial in about 300 patients showed that the compound missed the primary endpoint of improving the number of ventilator free-days over 28 days vs. placebo. BTG also said that AZD9773 did not show significant improvements compared to placebo on secondary endpoints, including mortality. Patients received placebo or a loading dose of 250 units/kg AZD9773 followed by 9 maintenance doses of 50 units/kg every 12 hours over 5 days, or a loading dose of 500 units/kg and maintenance doses of 100 units/kg. AstraZeneca had worldwide rights to develop and commercialize AZD9773 from Protherics Inc., which BTG acquired in 2008 (see BioCentury, Dec. 12, 2005). BTG also said it does not plan to conduct further development of AZD9773. ...