AZ's asthma candidate misses in Phase III

AstraZeneca plc (LSE:AZN; NYSE:AZN) said tralokinumab (CAT-354) missed the primary endpoint in the Phase III STRATOS 1 trial to treat severe uncontrolled asthma. Compared to placebo, the human IgG4 mAb against IL-13 did not significantly reduce annual asthma exacerbation rate in the overall population.

In a subpopulation of patients with an elevated biomarker associated with increased IL-13 activity, tralokinumab led to a "clinically relevant" reduction in annual asthma exacerbation rate. The company said this subgroup will now be the focus of its analysis for the ongoing Phase III STRATOS 2 trial of tralokinumab. Data from STRATOS 2 are expected next half...