AstraZeneca and its global biologics research and development arm, MedImmune, has announced the results of the Phase III STRATOS 2 and TROPOS trials for tralokinumab, an anti-interleukin-13 (IL-13) human monoclonal antibody, in severe, uncontrolled asthma.
In STRATOS 2, tralokinumab did not achieve a statistically-significant reduction in the annual asthma exacerbation rate (AAER), the primary endpoint, in patients with severe, uncontrolled asthma and elevated levels of a biomarker, Fractional exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO), compared to placebo.
In TROPOS, tralokinumab did not achieve a statistically-significant reduction in oral corticosteroid (OCS) use, the primary endpoint, when added to the standard of care, in patients dependent on OCS.
“The results are disappointing as we had hoped that tralokinumab would benefit patients with severe asthma, which is a complex disease with limited treatment options today,” Sean Bohen, Executive Vice President, Global Medicines Development and Chief Medical Officer, said.
FeNO is a well-established biomarker for airway inflammation and was identified in the previous pivotal trial (STRATOS 1) as most likely to predict an enhanced response to tralokinumab. The safety and tolerability findings in STRATOS 2 and TROPOS were consistent with those observed in previous trials with tralokinumab.
