New Formulations
In addition to the company's focus on treating patients with rare diseases, Alexion
is also evaluating the potential efficacy of complement inhibition in patients with
asthma. Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease that results in bronchial inflammation
and airway constriction leading to asthma's hallmark symptoms: shortness of breath,
chest tightness and wheezing. Administration of a C5 inhibitor significantly reduced
bronchial inflammation and airway constriction in animal studies.7 The
researchers found that animals given an anti-C5 blocking antibody, either systemically
or when inhaled through a nebulizer, showed substantial reductions in airway reactivity.
Alexion is conducting a Phase II proof-of-concept clinical trial in patients with asthma using intravenous Soliris®
(eculizumab) treatments, and is focused on developing a new, nebulized dosage form
of the drug that can be delivered through an inhaler.