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news.Roche's Phase II trial evaluating lebrikizumab as a treatment for adult patients with asthma, has met primary endpoint.
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Lebrikizumab, developed by Genentech Research and Early Development, is a humanized monoclonal antibody designed to block the IL-13 cytokine and reduce inflammation in the lung.
The study, which is known as MILLY trial, investigated the drug in patients whose asthma is inadequately controlled on inhaled corticosteroids.
The results of the trial demonstrated a trend towards a lower rate of severe asthma attacks (known as exacerbations) in patients treated with lebrikizumab.
The primary endpoint of the trial showed that at week 12, lebrikizumab-treated patients had a 5.5% greater increase in pre-bronchodilator FEV1, from baseline than placebo-treated patients.
Genentech Research and Early Development executive vice president Richard Scheller said the findings of the MILLY study, and the development of a potential biomarker, have shown that they may be able to select appropriate asthma patients for lebrikizumab therapy.
"These results support further investigation of lebrikizumab as a personalized medicine for patients who suffer from moderate to severe uncontrolled asthma," Scheller said.