AstraZeneca reports “positive” high-level results from the BATURA Phase IIIb trial showed AstraZeneca’s Airsupra met the primary endpoint, demonstrating a statistically significant and clinically meaningful reduction in the risk of a severe exacerbation when used as an as-needed rescue medication in response to symptoms compared to as-needed albuterol. The trial included patients with intermittent or mild persistent asthma, including those on short-acting beta2-agonist alone, low-dose inhaled corticosteroid maintenance therapy, or leukotriene receptor antagonist maintenance therapy. The Independent Data Monitoring Committee, or IDMC, recommended the trial stop early due to overwhelming efficacy at pre-planned analysis, the company noted. Sharon Barr, Executive Vice-President, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, said: “The impressive BATURA trial results add to the body of evidence supporting Airsupra as a first-in-class rescue treatment and its role in reducing the risk of asthma exacerbations in patients regardless of their disease severity, and reducing the need for systemic corticosteroids.” Airsupra is being developed by AstraZeneca and Avillion.