Amgen's brodalumab meets psoriatic arthritis endpoint

Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ:AMGN) and AstraZeneca plc (LSE:AZN; NYSE:AZN) said subcutaneous brodalumab met the primary endpoint compared to placebo in a Phase II trial to treat psoriatic arthritis. Both 140 and 280 mg subcutaneous brodalumab (formerly AMG 827) given once every two weeks improved ACR20 response rate at week 12 vs. placebo (37% and 39%, respectively, vs. 18%, p<0.05 for both). In biologic-naïve patients, ACR20 response rates were 36% for low-dose brodalumab, 37% for high-dose brodalumab and 20% for placebo. In patients with prior biologic exposure, ACR20 response rates were 37% for low-dose brodalumab, 42% for high-dose brodalumab and 16% for placebo. The double-blind, U.S. and Canadian trial enrolled 159 evaluable adults. Amgen said updated data from the trial are slated to be presented on Thursday at the European League Against Rheumatism meeting in Madrid.

Next year, the partners plan to start Phase III testing of brodalumab for psoriatic arthritis. The humanized mAb against IL17R is also in Phase III testing for psoriasis and Phase II testing for asthma. Amgen and AstraZeneca partnered in April 2012 to jointly develop and commercialize five mAbs from Amgen, including brodalumab (see BioCentury, April 9, 2012). ...