|
 The biggest British drugmaker by market value said the decision,
which followed recommendations from an independent data monitoring
committee, was due to low likelihood of Epanova's benefit to
patients with mixed dyslipidaemia.
"We are disappointed by these results, but we remain committed to
addressing the needs of patients in the cardiovascular space where
we have an extensive pipeline," Mene Pangalos, the executive vice
president of biopharmaceuticals research and development, said.
Mixed dyslipidaemia is characterized by abnormal levels of
cholesterol and fatty substances in the blood known as
triglycerides.
AstraZeneca added Epanova, which is already approved in the United
States to reduce high levels of triglyceride, to its pipeline when
it bought U.S.-based Omthera Pharmaceuticals in 2013 to build up its
cardiovascular drug business.
[to top of second column] |
Shares in the company opened half a percentage point lower on the
London Stock Exchange, lagging wider gains in the UK market.
In a separate statement, AstraZeneca and Merck said their ovarian
cancer drug Lynparza, in combination with bevacizumab, has been
granted priority review status in the U.S. and a decision on its
approval is set for the second quarter this year.
(Reporting by Muvija M in Bengaluru; Editing by Shailesh Kuber)
[© 2020 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2020 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content. |
