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AstraZeneca and MedImmune, its global biologics research and development arm, today announced top-line results from the TULIP 1 Phase III trial for anifrolumab in adult patients with moderate-to-severe systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

The trial did not meet the primary endpoint of a statistically-significant reduction in disease activity in patients with SLE as measured by the SLE Responder Index 4 (SRI4) at 12 months.

Sean Bohen, Executive Vice President, Global Medicines Development and Chief Medical Officer, said: "SLE is a debilitating autoimmune disease with significant unmet need among patients who struggle to achieve meaningful disease control. The result of this trial is disappointing for patients and the lupus community."

The pivotal Phase III TULIP 1 trial was a randomised, double-blinded, 52-week placebo-controlled, multi-centre trial assessing the safety and efficacy of anifrolumab as a treatment for adult patients with moderate-to-severe SLE. A full evaluation of the data will be conducted when TULIP 2 data are available later this year. TULIP 1 data will be presented at a future medical meeting.

Anifrolumab (formerly MEDI-546) is a fully human monoclonal antibody and potential new medicine that binds to subunit 1 of the type I interferon receptor, blocking the activity of all type I interferons including IFN-a, IFN-b and IFN-y.1 Type I interferons are cytokines involved in the inflammatory pathways.2 60% - 80% of adult lupus patients have an increased type I interferon gene signature, which has been shown to correlate with disease activity.2, 3

The pivotal TULIP (Treatment of Uncontrolled Lupus via the Interferon Pathway) programme includes two Phase III clinical trials, TULIP 1 and TULIP 2, that are evaluating the efficacy and safety of anifrolumab versus placebo in patients with moderately-to-severely active autoantibody-positive SLE who are receiving standard of care treatment. TULIP 1 randomised 460 eligible patients (1:2:2) to receive a fixed-dose intravenous infusion of 150mg anifrolumab, 300mg anifrolumab, or placebo every 4 weeks. TULIP 2 randomised 373 eligible patients (1:1) to receive a fixed-dose intravenous infusion of 300mg anifrolumab or placebo every 4 weeks.

The programme assesses the effect of anifrolumab in reducing disease activity, as measured by the SRI4, decreasing use of oral corticosteroids, improving skin manifestations, as measured by Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus Disease Area and Severity Index (CLASI)4, and reducing flares. In addition to the pivotal trials, anifrolumab is also being tested in a Phase III SLE long-term extension trial, a Phase II trial using subcutaneous delivery in SLE and a Phase II trial for lupus nephritis.

SLE is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks healthy tissue in the body instead of primarily targeting viruses or other foreign invaders.5 Lupus can cause a range of symptoms, including pain, rashes, fatigue, swelling in joints and fevers.6 It is associated with a greater risk of death from causes such as infection and cardiovascular disease.7 There has been only one new medicine approved for lupus in the last 60 years.8

MedImmune is the global biologics research and development arm of AstraZeneca, a global, innovation-driven biopharmaceutical business that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialization of small molecule and biologic prescription medicines. MedImmune is pioneering innovative research and exploring novel pathways across Oncology, Respiratory, Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolic Diseases, and Infection and Vaccines. The MedImmune headquarters is located in Gaithersburg, Md., one of AstraZeneca's three global R&D centres, with additional sites in Cambridge, UK and South San Francisco, Calif. For more information, please visit www.medimmune.com.

AstraZeneca is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialisation of prescription medicines, primarily for the treatment of diseases in three therapy areas - Oncology, Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism and Respiratory. AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide.

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1. Furie, R, et al. Anifrolumab, an Anti-Interferon‐a Receptor Monoclonal Antibody, in Moderate‐to‐Severe Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Arthritis & Rheumatology. 2017;69(2);376-386.

2. Lauwerys, Bernard R, et al. Type I interferon blockade in systemic lupus erythematosus: where do we stand?. Rheumatology. 2013;53(8);1369-1376.

4. Albrecht, Joerg et al. The CLASI (Cutaneous LE Disease Area and Severity Index): An Outcome Instrument for Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus. The Journal of Investigative Dermatology. 2005;125(5);889-894.

5. The Lupus Foundation of America. Available at https://resources.lupus.org/entry/what-is-lupus?utm_source=lupusorg&utm_medium=answersFAQ. [Accessed August 2018]

6. ACR. Guidelines for referral and management of systemic lupus erythematosus in adults. American College of Rheumatology Ad Hoc Committee on Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Guidelines, Arthritis & Rheumatism. 1999; 42; 1785-1796.

7. Nossent, J., et al. Current causes of death in systemic lupus erythematosus in Europe, 2000-2004: relation to disease activity and damage accrual. Lupus. 2007;16(5);309-317.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

	By: /s/ Adrian Kemp
	Name: Adrian Kemp
	Title: Company Secretary