AstraZeneca announces positive phase III top-line results for PT003 from PINNACLE 1 and PINNACLE 2 studies in COPD

In both the PINNACLE 1 and PINNACLE 2 studies, the primary objective was to assess benefits on lung function as measured by trough forced expiratory volume in one second

AstraZeneca announced positive top-line results from the phase III PINNACLE programme, which included two pivotal 24-week studies (PINNACLE 1 and PINNACLE 2) to investigate the potential of PT003 to improve lung function in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

PT003 is a twice-daily fixed-dose combination of glycopyrronium, a long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA) and formoterol fumarate, a long-acting beta-2 agonist (LABA). PT003 is the first LAMA/ LABA combination to be delivered in a pressurised metered dose inhaler (pMDI) using the unique porous particle co-suspension technology developed by Pearl Therapeutics, which was acquired by AstraZeneca in 2013. The development programme also included assessment of the individual components of PT003 – glycopyrronium pMDI (PT001) and formoterol fumarate (PT005) pMDI. The successful completion of the PINNACLE studies marks the first phase III outcomes from a series of pipeline candidates under development by AstraZeneca using Pearl’s novel technology.

In both the PINNACLE 1 and PINNACLE 2 studies, the primary objective was to assess benefits on lung function as measured by trough forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1). PT003 demonstrated statistically significant improvements in trough FEV1 versus PT001, PT005 and placebo. Both PT001 and PT005 also demonstrated statistically significant improvements in trough FEV1 compared to placebo.

In PINNACLE 1 and PINNACLE 2, the most common adverse events across all treatment arms, including placebo, were nasopharyngitis, upper respiratory tract infection, and dyspnea. The incidence of adverse events was generally similar across all treatment groups. The phase III programme also included a 28-week extension study, PINNACLE 3, the safety information from which is not yet available.

Briggs Morrison, Executive Vice President, Global Medicines Development and Chief Medical Officer, AstraZeneca, said: “These positive top-line results demonstrate the potential of PT003 as a novel treatment for patients suffering with the debilitating and chronic symptoms of COPD. The ability to deliver a unique LAMA/ LABA formulation in a single pressurised metered dose device is important for helping some 30 per cent of patients around the world who use an aerosol inhaler. Today’s results are also encouraging for the development of our investigative triple-drug combination of LAMA/LABA and inhaled corticosteroids.”

AstraZeneca plans to file global regulatory applications for PT003 commencing in 2015. Data from the PINNACLE 1, 2, and 3 phase III studies will be presented at a scientific meeting later in the year.

EP News Bureau – Mumbai