Synairgen off after AZ says asthma trial may be inconclusive

Synairgen plc (LSE:SNG) sank 11.50p (34%) to 22.50p on Wednesday after it said partner AstraZeneca plc (LSE:AZN; NYSE:AZN) is stopping the Phase IIa INEXAS trial evaluating AZD9412 ( SNG001) in asthma patients. An interim analysis found that an "overall very low number of reported severe exacerbations could make primary endpoint conclusions difficult," Synairgen said.

The double-blind study is evaluating the inhaled interferon (IFN) beta to treat respiratory virus-induced exacerbations of asthma. The company said colds did not cause as many asthma exacerbations as predicted in INEXAS. The trial enrolled patients who require treatment with mid- to high-dose inhaled corticosteroids and a second controller medication and who have a history of severe exacerbations caused by cold viruses. ...