AstraZeneca has announced the start of the Phase III programme for tralokinumab, developed by MedImmune.

Tralokinumab is a potential treatment for patients with severe, inadequately controlled asthma. The Phase III program 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 β2-agonist. According to AstraZeneca, the program 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.

“We are pleased to begin the tralokinumab Phase III programme in severe asthma, further strengthening the breadth of our portfolio in respiratory disease, one of AstraZeneca’s core therapy areas,” said Bill Mezzanotte, Vice President and Head of Inflammation, Neuroscience and Respiratory in AstraZeneca’s Global Medicines Development unit. “Patients with severe asthma currently have limited treatment options and need more effective therapies to control their disease. The development of tralokinumab underscores our commitment to a personalised treatment approach for these patients, to improve their lives. Severe asthma is highly heterogeneous; we are working to better understand patient subtypes, identify potential biomarkers, and tailor therapies to cellular and molecular phenotypes to achieve the best clinical outcomes.”