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AstraZeneca’s early-stage Fasenra study smashes primary endpoint in hypereosinophilic syndrome

pharmafile | April 4, 2019 | News story | Research and Development |  AstraZeneca, Fasenra, hypereosinophilic syndrome, pharma 

AstraZeneca has revealed new data for Fasenra (benralizumab), demonstrating that patients using the drug can “achieve near-complete depletion of eosinophils and improve clinical outcomes” in hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES)

In a Phase 2 trial of 20 participants, 90% achieved the primary endpoint of an at least 50% reduction in their absolute blood eosinophil counts after 12 weeks of treatment, compared to 30% with placebo.  

A rare and potentially fatal group of disorders, HES is characterised by elevated levels of eosinophils in the blood. Participants enrolled in the study has blood eosinophil counts ranging between 1,000 to 21,580 cells per μl.

Furthermore, 74% of the participants maintained a reduction in eosinophil counts and an improvement in their symptoms after 48 weeks during the open-label phase of the study. Beyond this, 64% of this number were able to taper background HES medications, while tissue biopsies from patients displayed a near-complete depletion of eosinophils following treatment.

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“We are encouraged by these trial results for Fasenra in hypereosinophilic syndrome and the data are potentially important given the limited treatment options for this debilitating disease,” said Mene Pangalos, Executive Vice President and President BioPharmaceuticals R&D at AstraZeneca.

Matt Fellows

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