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Clinical Daily Summary

Clinical Daily Summary: What Happened on October 5, 2026

AstraZeneca’s tozorakimab cuts COPD flare-ups in two Phase 3 trials

Genmab reported ovarian cancer responses with Rina-S, while diabetes and dermatology studies added clinical data.

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Today in brief

AstraZeneca’s tozorakimab lowered moderate-to-severe COPD exacerbations in two Phase 3 trials, with the biggest reduction among patients with high blood eosinophil counts.12 The company has filed the antibody with the FDA and expects a decision in the first quarter of 2027.1

Tozorakimab reduced COPD exacerbations, but not lung-function or quality-of-life measures

Patients in the OBERON and TITANIA trials had fewer moderate or severe COPD exacerbations on tozorakimab than on placebo.12 Among former smokers, exacerbations fell 29% in OBERON and 34% in TITANIA. Across current and former smokers, they fell 30% and 29%, respectively.2 The trials tested the antibody alongside standard inhaled treatment, with injections every four weeks for 52 weeks.12

Exacerbations fell 43% among patients with blood eosinophil counts of at least 300 cells per microliter, compared with 23% among those below 150 cells per microliter.12 The analysis of patients with counts of at least 150 cells per microliter was conducted after the trials were designed.2 Tozorakimab did not significantly improve lung function or quality-of-life measures, outcomes where dupilumab has shown benefits in COPD studies.1

Side effects were broadly similar between groups, though injection-site reactions were more frequent with tozorakimab.1 Investigators recorded 13 events in the tozorakimab group involving major cardiovascular events or serious adverse events resulting in death, compared with five in the placebo group. They did not consider the events drug-related.1 AstraZeneca submitted the drug for FDA review and expects an agency decision in the first quarter of 2027.1

Also worth knowing

  • Genmab reported a 45.9% confirmed response rate for Rina-S, including five complete responses, in 109 patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. Median response duration was 12.1 months, and four Phase 3 trials are underway.34

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    In a Phase 3 trial of 810 adults with type 2 diabetes, oral safiglipron met the non-inferiority criterion against dapagliflozin at all three doses for HbA1c change at week 32. Only the 90 mg dose met the prespecified superiority criterion.5

  • EADV meeting results included clear or almost-clear skin at week 112 for 70% of Icotyde-treated psoriasis participants, and a mean EASI reduction of 55% with Evommune’s EVO301 at week 12, versus 22% with placebo.6

Also published