AZ ANNOUNCES RESULTS OF PHASE IIB STUDIES


ASTRAZENECA ANNOUNCES MEDIMMUNE'S MAVRILIMUMAB AND SIFALIMUMAB BOTH MET PRIMARY
ENDPOINTS IN
PHASE IIB STUDIES

Mavrilimumab produces rapid improvement in signs and symptoms of rheumatoid
arthritis, measures of disability and patient-reported outcomes

Sifalimumab meets primary endpoint of reduction in global disease activity score
(SRI-4), and shows clinically important improvement in skin and joint symptoms,
patient reported outcomes in patients with moderate/severe systemic lupus
erythematosus

AstraZeneca today announced that two key molecules in MedImmune's Respiratory,
Inflammation and Autoimmune (RIA) portfolio - mavrilimumab and sifalimumab - met
their primary endpoints in respective Phase II studies, demonstrating further
pipeline progress in core therapeutic areas.

Top-line results from the Phase IIb study of mavrilimumab, an investigational
monoclonal antibody that inhibits a key pathway in the development of rheumatoid
arthritis (RA), achieved its primary endpoints. In the Phase llb study of a
methotrexate inadequate responder RA population (EARTH EXPLORER-1), 326 patients
with moderate and severe RA were treated for six months with either mavrilimumab
(low, medium or high dose) or placebo in addition to standard methotrexate
background therapy. The co-primary endpoints of the American College of
Rheumatology (ACR) response of ACR20 and Disease Activity Score (DAS28) were met
with all mavrilimumab doses confirming the efficacy demonstrated in the previous
Phase IIa study (EARTH).

The high dose was the most effective with an ACR20 response at week 24 of 73.4
percent vs 24.7 percent for placebo (p3 percent) included headache,
nasopharyngitis (common cold), hypertension, bronchitis and worsening of RA.

"Through innovative, novel research, MedImmune has built a diverse emerging
pipeline in Respiratory, Inflammation and Autoimmune disease, covering a broad
set of patients. We are focused on advancing data and drug discovery to improve
treatment options and clinical outcomes for patients," said Dr. Bahija Jallal,
Executive Vice President, MedImmune. "Compelling Phase II data from two of our
molecules - mavrilimumab for rheumatoid arthritis and sifalimumab for systemic
lupus - further confirm our commitment to bringing new medicines to patients as
quickly as possible."

MedImmune also announced top-line results from the Phase II study of sifalimumab
(MEDI-545), a novel monoclonal antibody being investigated as a treatment for
patients with moderate/severe systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE or lupus). The
study met its primary endpoint of percentage of subjects that responded by the
SLE Responder Index (SRI-4) at Day 365. Clinically important improvements in
organ-specific outcome measures (joint, skin) and patient reported outcomes were
also observed.

In the study, three doses of sifalimumab were evaluated against placebo when
added to stable standard of care therapy in patients with moderately to severely
active lupus despite standard of care therapy. In addition to efficacy in the
primary endpoint, there is a broad-based body of clinical evidence supporting
the efficacy of sifalimumab. The study achieved two secondary endpoints at
specific doses - improvement in skin (rashes) as measured by CLASI (Cutaneous
Lupus Erythematosus Disease Area and Severity Index) and improvement in fatigue.
Sifalimumab demonstrated an overall acceptable safety profile, with a numerical
increase in the incidence of Herpes Zoster reactivations.

"Patients with lupus have severely limited options for control of their
symptoms, as only one new treatment has been approved in more than 50 years,"
said Dr. Bing Yao, Senior Vice President and Head of MedImmune's Respiratory,
Inflammation and Autoimmunity Innovative Medicines Unit. "There is clearly a
sense of urgency to deliver new treatments for patients suffering from this
debilitating, chronic disease, and we are hopeful that we will be able to offer
a new option."

The company anticipates presenting additional study results for both molecules
at a future medical conference later this year. The Phase II programme in lupus
with anifrolumab (MEDI-546), which targets the type 1 interferon receptor, is
also ongoing.

About Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
Rheumatoid arthritis is a painful, systemic, chronic inflammatory autoimmune
disease which causes damage to the joints and vital organs. The disease affects
approximately one in 100 people worldwide. If not adequately treated, RA is a
major cause of disability leading to diminished work capacity and is associated
with reduced life expectancy.

The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) response represents a percentage
improvement in symptoms. To achieve an ACR20 score, a person with RA must have
at least 20 percent fewer tender joints and at least 20 percent fewer swollen
joints. In addition the patient must also have a 20 percent improvement in at
least three of the following five areas: 1) the patients overall (global)
assessment of their RA 2) the patient assessment of their pain 3) the patients
assessment of their physical functioning 4) the physician's global assessment of
their patients RA, and 5) the results of a C-reactive protein and erythrocyte
sedimentation rate blood test as key indicators of inflammation.

The Disease Activity Score (DAS) represents an assessment of disease symptoms.
The DAS score consists of a numerical assessment of a set of 28 joints for
swelling and tenderness, plus the patients overall (global) assessment of their
RA and the results of a C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate
blood test as key indicators of inflammation.

About Lupus
Lupus is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system produces antibodies
that, instead of targeting viruses or other foreign invaders, attacks healthy
tissue in the body, including skin, joints, the brain, and blood vessels. Lupus
can cause a range of symptoms, including pain, rashes, fatigue, swelling in
joints, and fevers, and is associated with a higher risk of death from causes
such as infection and cardiovascular disease.

The SLE Responder Index-4 represents a clinically significant improvement in
lupus disease activity. To achieve SRI-4 response, a person with lupus must have
at least a 4 point improvement on the SLE Disease Activity - 2K (SLEDAI-2K)
score, a validated measure of disease activity and have no worsening on the
Physician Global Assessment of disease activity and the BILAG (British Isles
Lupus Assessment Group) disease activity index.

About Mavrilimumab
Mavrilimumab (formerly CAM-3001) is a first in class human monoclonal antibody
that targets the alpha receptor for the cytokine granulocyte-macrophage colony
-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). Through the targeted blockade of the receptor on
the macrophage, a key cell in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis,
mavrilimumab could add a significant new treatment option for RA patients.

About Sifalimumab
Sifalimumab (formerly MEDI-545) is an investigational human monoclonal antibody
that targets IFN-α, a type of inflammatory cytokine in the body known to play a
role in the development of SLE. Previous studies have shown that high levels of
type I IFN-α are correlated with more severe disease activity in SLE patients,
and early studies of sifalimumab have demonstrated that this agent blocks
signaling of all interferon alpha subtypes.

About MedImmune
MedImmune is the global biologics research and development arm of AstraZeneca.
MedImmune is pioneering innovative research and exploring novel pathways across
key therapeutic areas, including respiratory, inflammation and autoimmunity;
cardiovascular and metabolic disease; oncology; neuroscience; and infection and
vaccines. The MedImmune headquarters is located in Gaithersburg, Md., one of
AstraZeneca's three global R&D centres. For more information, please visit
www.medimmune.com.

About AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca is a global, innovation-driven biopharmaceutical business that
focuses on the discovery, development and commercialisation of prescription
medicines, primarily for the treatment of cardiovascular, metabolic,
respiratory, inflammation, autoimmune, oncology, infection and neuroscience
diseases. AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative
medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. For more information
please visit: www.astrazeneca.com
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12 May 2014

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Pièces jointes

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