AstraZeneca’s IL-33 antibody tozorakimab earns FDA priority review after COPD trial cuts exacerbations by up to 34%

AstraZeneca’s R&D chief medical officer Sharon Barr said the company’s latest data on its IL-33 inhibitor represents an internal “science success story.” The results have earned the drug a priority review designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The data come from two late-stage studies, Oberon and Titania, that evaluated the antibody tozorakimab at a 300 mg dose given every four weeks on top of standard inhaled therapy. In former smokers, the drug reduced moderate and severe COPD exacerbations by 29 % in Oberon and 34 % in Titania.

When both current and former smokers were analyzed together, the reductions were 30 % and 29 % respectively, compared with placebo and standard care. The benefit was observed across all prespecified subgroups, suggesting a broad potential impact for patients who continue to experience lung attacks despite existing treatments.