Tralokinumab enters Phase III trials for severe Asthma- AstraZeneca + Medimmune

AstraZeneca announced the start of the Phase III programme for tralokinumab, a potential treatment for patients with severe, inadequately controlled Asthma, developed by MedImmune, the company�s global biologics research and development arm. The Phase III programme will evaluate the safety and effectiveness of tralokinumab in reducing the rate of Asthma exacerbations (AER) in adults and adolescents with severe, inadequately controlled Asthma despite receiving inhaled corticosteroids plus long-acting beta 2-agonist. The programme will also assess the effect of tralokinumab on lung function, patient-reported Asthma symptoms and quality of life, as well as investigate whether potential clinical biomarkers could identify patients who are more likely to respond to tralokinumab.

Tralokinumab is an investigational human monoclonal antibody which potently and selectively neutralises interleukin-13 (IL-13). IL-13 is a key cytokine that is believed to contribute to the onset of severe and frequent Asthma attacks, impaired lung function and other debilitating Asthma symptoms by driving inflammation, airway hyper-responsiveness and excessive mucus production.