AstraZeneca reports positive data from studies of brodalumab in psoriasis

AstraZeneca has announced positive data from new studies demonstrating the benefits of its drug brodalumab compared to an established psoriasis therapy.

Positive results from two pivotal multi-centre phase III studies – AMAGINE-2 and AMAGINE-3 – have indicated that treatment with brodalumab resulted in significant clinical improvements in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis.

It was also shown to be superior to both placebo and a leading approved treatment for psoriasis. This data was published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM).

The studies were funded by AstraZeneca and Amgen, the former sponsor of the brodalumab programme. AstraZeneca recently granted Valeant Pharmaceuticals an exclusive license to develop and commercialise brodalumab.

Bing Yao, senior vice-president, research and development and head of the respiratory, inflammation and autoimmunity innovative medicines unit at MedImmune, said: "Publication of this data in NEJM underscores the importance of brodalumab as a potential new treatment for people with psoriasis, a serious, chronic disease that can have an overwhelming, negative impact on patients' lives."

The findings will be used to support regulatory submissions for brodalumab in moderate to severe psoriasis in the US and Europe, which are planned for the fourth quarter of 2015.