AstraZeneca reports positive results from leukaemia drug trial

Interim analysis of the AMPLIFY Phase II trial that Calquence (otherwise known as acalabrutinib), used in combination with generic CLL drug venetoclax, "demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in progression-free survival compared to standard-of-care chemoimmunotherapy".

Additionally, for the secondary endpoint of overall survival, a trend was also observed in favour of Calquence in combination with venetoclax compared with traditional treatments.

CLL is the most prevalent type of leukaemia in adults globally, causing by the abnormal production of white blood cells. While still considered incurable, patients can often live with the disease for many years, with around 40,000 patients treated with the current standard of care across G8 countries.

"If approved, Calquence would become the only second-generation BTK inhibitor available as both a treat-to-progression and fixed-duration treatment, providing more options for patients and their healthcare providers," said Susan Galbraith, executive vice president of Oncology R&D at AstraZeneca.

Shares in AZN were up 1.1% at 12,308p by 0847 BST.