New drug trial data supports AstraZeneca's clinical activity

AstraZeneca said on Friday that preliminary findings from the ATLANTIC trial of durvalumab, a treatment for a type of non-small cell lung cancer, supports the treatment’s clinical activity.

The FTSE 100 company said the treatment demonstrated clinical activity and durable responses in 3rd-line or later stage patients.

The data is still being fully evaluated and the results will be presented at a scientific congress in 2016.

AstraZeneca’s Sean Bohen said durvalumab has demonstrated expected clinical activity and durable response in these heavily pre-treated patients as seen in other studies.

“As previously communicated, the treatment and regulatory landscape in lung cancer is evolving.

“We now believe it is unlikely that ATLANTIC can be used for regulatory submission as a monotherapy, but we will make that determination following a full analysis of the data.

“Durvalumab is a cornerstone of our immuno-oncology portfolio with a fast advancing development programme focused primarily on novel combinations."