WILMINGTON, DE — AstraZeneca reported that its experimental drug tozorakimab reduced moderate-to-severe exacerbations in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in a Phase III trial.
Results from the MIRANDA trial showed a statistically significant reduction in annualized exacerbation rates among former smokers and across the broader study population, which included both former and current smokers.
Patients in the trial received 300 mg of tozorakimab or a placebo every two weeks in addition to standard inhaled therapies.
The study enrolled patients who continued to experience moderate-to-severe exacerbations despite receiving standard care.
“These results add to the growing body of evidence that indicates tozorakimab delivered meaningful clinical benefits for COPD patients who urgently need new treatment options,” said Dr. Frank Sciurba, professor of pulmonary and critical care medicine at the University of Pittsburgh and chief investigator of the LUNA program.
AstraZeneca said the drug was generally well tolerated and demonstrated a safety profile consistent with previous studies.
The company plans to submit the data to regulatory authorities and present findings at an upcoming medical meeting.
The MIRANDA results follow earlier Phase III trials, including OBERON and TITANIA, which evaluated the drug using a four-week dosing schedule.
Tozorakimab is a monoclonal antibody targeting interleukin-33, a protein involved in inflammation and mucus dysfunction associated with COPD.
COPD affects nearly 400 million people worldwide and is the third leading cause of death globally.
Support the local news that supports Chester County. MyChesCo delivers reliable, fact-based reporting and essential community resources—free for everyone. If you value that, click here to become a patron today.