THOUSAND OAKS (dpa-AFX) - The primary results from the Phase IIa COURSE
trial showed that treatment with AstraZeneca and Amgen's Tezspire (tezepelumab)
led to a 17% numerical reduction in the annual rate of moderate or severe COPD
exacerbations compared to placebo at week 52, which was not statistically
significant, the companies said.

The Phase IIa COURSE trial was a proof-of-concept study in people with moderate
to very severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with a broad range
of blood eosinophil counts (BEC) and irrespective of emphysema, chronic
bronchitis or smoking status.

The companies noted that tezepelumab led to a nominally significant reduction of
37% in the rate of moderate or severe exacerbations compared to placebo. Studies
suggested that approximately 65% of bio-eligible patients with COPD have a blood
eosinophil counts greater than or equal to 150 cells per microliter. In patients
with blood eosinophil counts greather than or equal to300 cells per microliter
tezepelumab led to a numerical reduction of 46% in the rate of moderate or
severe exacerbations.

A subgroup analysis of the COURSE trial also showed treatment with tezepelumab
resulted in numerical improvements in lung function as measured by forced
expiratory volume (FEV1) and in quality of life as measured by the St. George's
Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) score. The safety and tolerability profile for
tezepelumab was consistent with its approved severe asthma indication; The most
frequently reported adverse events for tezepelumab were worsening of COPD
(12.1%) and incidents of COVID-19 infections (14.5%).

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