AstraZeneca’s Symbicort shows benefits in real-life study

AstraZeneca's chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) therapy Symbicort has demonstrated its benefits in a real-world study called Pathos.

Data from the 11-year research project, carried out in Sweden from 1999 to 2009, showed that Symbicort performed better than a rival commonly prescribed inhaled corticosteroid and long-acting beta agonist combination treatment.

Patients receiving AstraZeneca's product were less likely to suffer from COPD-related exacerbations or be hospitalised as a result of their condition

According to the company, this study is indicative of how real-life evidence can complement randomised clinical trials and improve understanding of the outcomes of different treatments.

Dr Briggs Morrison, AstraZeneca's executive vice-president for global medicines development, said: "AstraZeneca sees respiratory medicine as an area where our expertise can make a real difference for patients and thereby provide growth for our business."

This comes after the firm announced plans to establish a new global research and development centre and corporate headquarters in Cambridge by 2016 earlier this month.