Benzinga | Aug 20, 2021 09:53AM EDT

Why Did AstraZeneca's Alexion Stop Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Trial?

* AstraZeneca Inc's (NASDAQ:AZN) newly acquired Alexion division will stop developing a treatment for the neurological disorder amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) due to lack of efficacy in a late-stage trial.

* Following an interim analysis, Alexion says it will scrap a Phase 3 study testing the long-acting C5 inhibitor Ultomiris as a treatment for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

* Since starting in January 2020, the trial has enrolled 382 patients, per trial records.

* All of them will now stop taking study medication, either Ultomiris or placebo, and complete any necessary follow-up evaluations.

* The Independent Data Monitoring Committee recommended trial discontinuation "due to lack of efficacy," Alexion said, as measured by the ALS functional rating scale-revised (ALSFRS-R) score.

* No safety concerns were reported.

* Related content: Benzinga's Full FDA Calendar.

* Price Action: AZN shares are up 0.52% at 59.49 during the market session on the last check Friday.