First head-to-head trial of biologics in EGPA, comparing a single monthly injection of Fasenra to three injections per month of mepolizumab.

Positive high-level results from the MANDARA Phase III trial showed AstraZeneca’s Fasenra (benralizumab) met the primary endpoint of the trial and demonstrated non-inferior rates of remission compared to mepolizumab in patients with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) who were receiving oral corticosteroids (OCS) with or without stable immunosuppressive therapy.

MANDARA is the first Phase III head-to-head trial of biologics in EGPA and compared the efficacy and safety of Fasenra versus mepolizumab, the only currently approved treatment.^1,2 In the blinded trial, patients were randomised to receive either a single 30mg subcutaneous injection of Fasenra or three separate 100mg subcutaneous injections of mepolizumab once every four weeks.^1,2

EGPA is a rare, immune-mediated vasculitis that is caused by inflammation of small to medium-sized blood vessels.^3,4 Approximately half of patients with EGPA have concomitant adult-onset severe eosinophilic asthma (SEA).⁵ EGPA can result in damage to multiple organs, including lungs, skin, heart, gastrointestinal tract and nerves, which accumulates over time and without treatment can be fatal.^3,6

Dr Michael Wechsler, Principal Investigator said: “The positive MANDARA trial results are exciting because patients with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis today have limited treatment options but face crippling symptoms, which can even be fatal if not treated. This trial demonstrates that a biologic medicine given in a single monthly injection could help patients achieve remission rates comparable to the current standard of care, adding to the importance of benralizumab as a potential treatment option for eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis.”

Sharon Barr, Executive Vice President, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, said: “The positive results from MANDARA demonstrate that Fasenra, which has a unique mechanism of action and directly targets eosinophils, can help patients achieve remission from the debilitating impacts of this inflammatory disease with a more convenient single monthly subcutaneous injection.”

The safety and tolerability profile for Fasenra in the trial was consistent with the known profile of the medicine.

Full results from MANDARA will be presented at an upcoming medical meeting and data will be shared with health authorities around the world.

Fasenra is a monoclonal antibody that binds directly to IL-5 receptor alpha on eosinophils and attracts natural killer cells to induce rapid and near-complete depletion of blood and tissue eosinophils in most patients via apoptosis (programmed cell death).^7,8

Fasenra is currently approved as an add-on maintenance treatment for SEA in the US, EU, Japan and other countries, and is approved for self-administration in the US, EU and other countries.^9,10 The FDA granted Orphan Drug Designation for Fasenra for EGPA in 2018 and AstraZeneca continues to explore Fasenra’s potential beyond severe asthma, as a treatment across many diseases where eosinophils are expected to play a role.^11-14

Notes

EGPA
EGPA, formerly known as Churg-Strauss Syndrome, is a rare, immune-mediated inflammatory disease that is caused by inflammation of small to medium-sized blood vessels.^3,4 It is estimated that 118,000 people throughout the world live with EGPA.¹⁵

EGPA can result in damage to multiple organs, including lungs, skin, heart, gastrointestinal tract and nerves.³ The most common symptoms and signs include extreme fatigue, weight loss, muscle and joint pain, rashes, nerve pain, sinus and nasal symptoms, and shortness of breath.^3,6 Without treatment, the disease may be fatal.^3,6

Elevated levels of eosinophils play a central role in EGPA disease pathophysiology.⁴ All patients with EGPA have very high levels of eosinophils at some point in their disease, both in peripheral blood and in affected tissues or organs.^3,6 Approximately half of patients with EGPA have concomitant adult-onset SEA, and often have sinus and nasal symptoms.^3,5

There are limited treatment options for EGPA. Patients are often treated with chronic high-dose OCS and can experience recurrent relapses when attempting to taper off OCS.^6,16 Mepolizumab is currently the only approved treatment for EGPA.²

MANDARA
MANDARA was a randomised, double blind, double-dummy, active-controlled, parallel group, multicentre 52-week Phase III trial which compared the efficacy and safety of Fasenra to mepolizumab in adult patients with relapsing or refractory EGPA.¹ In the blinded trial, 140 patients were randomised 1:1 (70 per treatment group) to receive either a single 30mg subcutaneous injection of Fasenra or three separate 100mg subcutaneous injections of mepolizumab once every four weeks.¹

The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients who were in remission at both weeks 36 and 48.¹ Remission is defined as Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score (BVAS)=0 and OCS dose less than or equal to 4mg/day.¹ Fasenra remission was compared to the historical placebo rate from mepolizumab’s Phase III trial, MIRRA.¹⁷ The primary statistical analysis was to demonstrate non-inferiority of Fasenra versus mepolizumab based on the primary endpoint.

All patients who complete the 52-week double-blind treatment period may be eligible to continue into an open label extension (OLE) period, intended to allow each patient at least one year of treatment with open-label Fasenra.¹

Mepolizumab is a humanized IL-5 antagonist monoclonal antibody.²

Fasenra
Fasenra (benralizumab) is currently approved as an add-on maintenance treatment for SEA in the US, EU, Japan and other countries, and is approved for self-administration in the US, EU and other countries.^9,10 Fasenra has been studied in almost 4,000 patients in global clinical trials.^18-22

Fasenra is in development for other eosinophilic diseases including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps and hypereosinophilic syndrome.^12-14

Fasenra was developed by AstraZeneca and is in-licensed from BioWa, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd., Japan.

Respiratory & Immunology
Respiratory & Immunology, part of AstraZeneca BioPharmaceuticals, is a key disease area and growth driver to the Company.

AstraZeneca is an established leader in respiratory care with a 50-year heritage and a growing portfolio of medicines in immune-mediated diseases. The Company is committed to addressing the vast unmet needs of these chronic, often debilitating, diseases with a pipeline and portfolio of inhaled medicines, biologics and new modalities aimed at previously unreachable biologic targets. Our ambition is to deliver life-changing medicines that help eliminate COPD as a leading cause of death, eliminate asthma attacks and achieve clinical remission in immune-mediated diseases.

AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca (LSE/STO/Nasdaq: AZN) is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialisation of prescription medicines in Oncology, Rare Diseases, and BioPharmaceuticals, including Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, and Respiratory & Immunology. Based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. Please visit astrazeneca.com and follow the Company on social media @AstraZeneca.

References

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