FORM 6-K
 
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
 
Report of Foreign Issuer
 
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
For the month of November 2018
 
Commission File Number: 001-11960
 
AstraZeneca PLC
 
1 Francis Crick Avenue
Cambridge Biomedical Campus
Cambridge CB2 0AA
United Kingdom
 
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
 
Form 20-F X Form 40-F __
 
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Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): ______
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
 
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If “Yes” is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the Registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82-_____________
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AstraZeneca PLC
 
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
 
 
1.
Farxiga significantly reduced hospitalisation for 
 
 
12 November 2018 07:00 GMT
 
Farxiga significantly reduced hospitalisation for heart failure
 
or CV death in a broad patient population with type-2 diabetes
 
in the landmark DECLARE-TIMI 58 trial
 
Fewer MACE events observed with Farxiga vs. placebo,
 
but this finding did not reach statistical significance
 
No imbalance in amputations, fractures, bladder cancer
 
or Fournier's gangrene with Farxiga vs. placebo
 
AstraZeneca today announced positive full results from the DECLARE-TIMI 58 cardiovascular (CV) outcomes trial (CVOT) for Farxiga (dapagliflozin). The data were presented as a late-breaking abstract (#19485) at the American Heart Association (AHA) Scientific Sessions 2018 in Chicago, Illinois, USA, and simultaneously published in the New England Journal of Medicine.1
 
Results from DECLARE-TIMI 58, the largest SGLT2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) CVOT conducted to date, including more than 17,000 patients across 33 countries, showed that Farxiga significantly reduced the risk of hospitalisation for heart failure (hHF) or CV death composite vs. placebo by 17% (4.9% vs. 5.8%; HR 0.83 [95% CI 0.73-0.95], p=0.005), one of the two primary efficacy endpoints. The reduction in hHF or CV death was consistent across the entire patient population, which included those with CV risk factors and those with established CV disease.
 
Additionally, there were fewer major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) observed with Farxigafor the other primary efficacy endpoint, however this did not reach statistical significance (8.8% for Farxiga vs. 9.4% for placebo; HR 0.93 [95% CI 0.84-1.03], p=0.17).
 
DECLARE-TIMI 58 also confirmed the well-established safety profile for Farxiga, which met the primary safety endpoint of non-inferiority vs. placebo, demonstrating no increase in the composite of MACE, defined as CV death, heart attack (myocardial infarction), or stroke.
 
Further, on other relevant safety measures, the trial showed no imbalance with Farxiga vs. placebo in amputations (1.4% vs. 1.3%), fractures (5.3% vs. 5.1%), bladder cancer (0.3% vs. 0.5%) or Fournier's gangrene (1 case vs. 5 cases). The respective incidences of diabetic ketoacidosis (0.3% vs. 0.1%) and genital infections (0.9% vs. 0.1%) were rare.
 
Elisabeth Björk, Vice President, Head of Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism, Global Medicines Development, said: "These positive results are clinically relevant to the 425 million people worldwide living with diabetes, of whom those with type-2 diabetes have a two-to-five times greater risk of heart failure along with an increased risk of a heart attack or stroke. Heart failure survival rates are only 50% after five years from diagnosis, which is why these new findings are so important in broadening our understanding of how to go beyond blood glucose so we may better address this serious and often overlooked cardiovascular complication."
 
Although secondary endpoints were only nominally significant, the renal composite endpoint showed that Farxiga reduced the rate of new or worsening nephropathy1 by 24% vs. placebo across the broad patient population studied (4.3% vs. 5.6%; HR 0.76 [95% CI 0.67-0.87]), and there were fewer all-cause mortality events with Farxiga vs. placebo (6.2% vs. 6.6%; HR 0.93 [95% CI 0.82-1.04]).
 
About DECLARE-TIMI 58
DECLARE (Dapagliflozin Effect on Cardiovascular Events)-TIMI 58 is an AstraZeneca-sponsored, randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, multicentre trial designed to evaluate the effect of Farxiga compared with placebo on CV outcomes in adults with T2D at risk of CV events, including patients with multiple CV risk factors or established CV disease. DECLARE included more than 17,000 patients across 882 sites in 33 countries and was independently run in collaboration with academic investigators from the TIMI study group (Boston, USA) and the Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center (Jerusalem, Israel).
 
About DapaCare
DECLARE is part of the extensive DapaCare clinical programme for Farxiga, which will enrol patients in randomised clinical trials including a wide range of mechanistic trials and is supported by a multinational real-world evidence study (CVD-REAL). The DapaCare clinical programme will generate data across a spectrum of people with CV risk factors, established CV disease and varying stages of renal disease, both with and without T2D. DECLARE is paving the way for three Phase III trials: Dapa-HF, DELIVER and Dapa-CKD. Farxiga is not indicated to reduce the risk of CV events, CV death, or hHF, or the treatment of CKD.
 
About Farxiga (dapagliflozin)
Farxiga is a first-in-class, oral once-daily selective inhibitor of human sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) indicated as both monotherapy and as part of combination therapy to improve glycaemic control, with the additional benefits of weight loss and blood pressure reduction, as an adjunct to diet and exercise in adults with T2D. Farxiga has a robust clinical trial programme of more than 35 completed and ongoing Phase IIb/III trials in over 35,000 patients, as well as more than 1.8 million patient-years' experience.
 
About AstraZeneca in Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism (CVRM)
Cardiovascular, renal and metabolism together form one of AstraZeneca's main therapy areas and a key growth driver for the Company. By following the science to understand more clearly the underlying links between the heart, kidneys and pancreas, AstraZeneca is investing in a portfolio of medicines to protect organs and improve outcomes by slowing disease progression, reducing risks and tackling co-morbidities. Our ambition is to modify or halt the natural course of CVRM diseases and potentially regenerate organs and restore function, by continuing to deliver transformative science that improves treatment practices and cardiovascular health for millions of patients worldwide.
 
About AstraZeneca
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.
 
For more information, please visit astrazeneca.com and follow us on Twitter @AstraZeneca.
 
Media Relations
 
 
Karen Birmingham
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Adrian Kemp
Company Secretary
AstraZeneca PLC
 
References
1 Wiviott S.D et al. 'Dapagliflozin and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Type 2 Diabetes'. The New England Journal of Medicine. DOI https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1812389
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SIGNATURES
 
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.
 
 
AstraZeneca PLC
 
 
Date: 12 November 2018
 
 
By: /s/ Adrian Kemp
 
Name: Adrian Kemp
 
Title: Company Secretary