AstraZeneca and partner announce study results

AstraZeneca and Targacept have announced results from a phase IIb clinical study of AZD3480 (TC-1734).

Named the Halo trial, the research was conducted by AstraZeneca and aimed at finding a therapy for cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia.

As a result of AZD3480 not meeting the trial’s criteria for statistical significance on the primary endpoints – though well tolerated in subjects – the partnership has said it does not expect to progress to phase III studies.

Bob Holland, vice-president and head of the Neuroscience Therapy Area at AstraZeneca, said: “While this trial outcome did not meet our objectives, we continue to pursue medicines that target neuronal nicotinic receptors with Targacept to treat cognitive disorders.”

He added the company was “disappointed” AZD3480 did not meet the partnership’s goals in the Halo trial.

The trial was a multi-centre, double blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, dose-finding study.

It saw subjects between 18 and 55 years of age, who were active smokers and were taking atypical anti-psychotics, randomly assigned to one of three dose groups of AZD3480 or to placebo – dosed over a 12-week period.

AstraZeneca employs approximately 13,000 people at 17 principal research and development centres in eight countries.