AstraZeneca starts phase III of asthma drug Tralokinaums

14th Aug 2014 08:43

Pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca has started phase III of its asthma control medicine, Tralokinaums, in an effort to strengthen its respiratory portfolio. Phase three of the programme will see the group assess the safety of its newly designed treatment, made by its research division MedImmune.Tralokinaums is expected to reduce the rate of asthma exacerbations in adults and adolescents, which takes an average of three lives a day in the UK.The treatment will also be tested on weakened lung function and other threatening asthma symptoms to cut the amount of patients suffering from severe cases of the condition.Vice president and head of inflammation Bill Mezannotte said: "Patients with severe asthma currently have limited treatment options and need more effective therapies to control their disease. "The development of tralokinumab underscores our commitment to a personalised treatment approach for these patients, to improve their lives."The drug group announced on Wednesday it had achieved positive results in trials for its gout treatment, lesinurad.