AstraZeneca plans further AZD3480 development

AstraZeneca has announced it intends to undertake further development of AZD3480 by initiating new studies relating to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

In addition, the firm has agreed to provide Targacept with a $10 million (6.2 million pounds) milestone payment.

The company said that it plans to continue the development of AZD1446, which is also known as TC-6683, as a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease.

It was discovered during the ongoing research collaboration between AstraZeneca and Targacept.

“For Alzheimer’s disease, development of AZD1446 has been prioritised by AstraZeneca over further development of AZD3480. AZD3480 and AZD1446 are selective alpha4beta2 NNR agonists,” the company said.

Earlier this month, AstraZeneca announced that the European commission has approved marketing authorisation for the oral anti-cancer treatment Iressa for the management of adult patients who have advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer with epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase, across every line of therapy.

The authorisation was based upon a submission package from AstraZeneca that included two “pivotal” phase III studies.