Benzinga | May 19, 2021 02:54PM EDT

New Five-Year Data Shows Durable Efficacy Of AstraZeneca's Fasenra For Asthma Treatment

* AstraZeneca Plc (NASDAQ: AZN) has announced results from a new integrated analysis, including data from the MELTEMI Phase 3 open-label extension trial, evaluating Fasenra (benralizumab) in adult patients with severe asthma.

* Results were presented today at the American Thoracic Society 2021 International Conference.

* Data showed Fasenra was well-tolerated for up to five years, with a long-term safety profile consistent with previous Phase 3 trials.

* During the extension trials, adverse events and serious adverse events did not increase from rates comparable to placebo observed in Phase 3 trials.

* In secondary endpoints, Fasenra sustained the reduction in asthma exacerbation rates observed during predecessor Phase 3 trials, with annualized asthma exacerbation rates (AAER) remaining consistently low over the five-year treatment period.

* AAER decreased from 3.1 exacerbation/year pre-treatment to 0.5 in the predecessor studies with a further reduction to 0.2 by year four of the open-label trial.

* 59% of patients experienced zero exacerbations during the four years of the open-label period, and at least 75% of patients each year experienced zero exacerbations.

* In the final year of the trial, 87% of patients experienced zero exacerbations.

* Price Action: AZN shares are up 0.26% at $56.14 during the market session on the last check Wednesday.