�MedImmune announced
that it has initiated enrollment in a Phase 2A test with an
investigational human monoclonal antibody (MAb) targeting interferon-alpha
in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE or lupus). The report is
intentional to assess the safety and tolerability of the antibody, too known
as MEDI-545 in patients with moderately to severely active lupus, contempt
standard of care. Current treatment options for fairly to gravely
active lupus include potent immunosuppressive drugs that have unfavourable
semipermanent adverse effects. Data from patients with lupus and animal models
of lupus suggest Type I interferons play a key role in lupus, especially
interferon-alpha. By block the effects of interferon-alpha, MEDI-545 may
provide a strategy for improving the signs and symptoms associated with
lupus.
"Lupus toilet be a debilitating disease that indemnification organs, causes pain
and loss of function, and reduces the quality of life in patients suffering
from the disease, world Health Organization are a great deal young women," said Barbara White, frailty
president, clinical development, seditious disease. "The Phase 1 trials
with this antibody have demonstrated that it can stamp down activity of
interferon-alpha in patients with lupus and that its safety visibility
supports further clinical evolution in lupus."
The Phase 2A clinical trial is designed to evaluate the safety and
tolerability of multiple subcutaneous dose schedules of MEDI-545 or placebo
in grownup patients with moderately to severely active lupus. The study will
also assess the effects of MEDI-545 on disease activity in lupus patients.
This randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-dose trial will
be conducted at about 20 sites end-to-end the United States.
MEDI-545 was generated by immunizing the Medarex transgenic
HuMab-Mouse(R) with natural human interferon-alpha.
About Lupus
Lupus is an autoimmune disease that privy affect various parts of the
body, including the skin, joints, heart, lungs, blood, kidneys and wit.
Lupus affects approximately 322,000 to possibly over a one thousand thousand people in
the United States. Lupus may occur at whatever age in men or women, merely the
disease predominantly affects women of childbearing years. The disease has
a higher incidence in African-Americans, Hispanics, Asian and American
Indians. Treatments for lupus include nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drugs,
corticosteroids, antimalarials, and immunosuppressants.
About MedImmune
MedImmune is all owned by AstraZeneca plc (LSE: AZN.L, NYSE: AZN)
and is the ecumenical biologics occupation for the AstraZeneca Group. The
company has about 3,000 employees worldwide and is headquartered in
Gaithersburg, Maryland. MedImmune strives to provide better medicines to
patients, new medical options for physicians and rewarding careers to
employees. Dedicated to advancing skill and practice of medicine to help people live
better lives, the company is focused on infection, oncology, respiratory
disease and inflammation,
