AstraZeneca's Lynparza Shows Promise as Breast Cancer Treatment

British-based pharmaceutical firm AstraZeneca may be gaining an advantage in the burgeoning PARP inhibitor drug space.

The company reported positive results from a phase 3 study evaluating Lynparza’s safety and efficacy as a potential therapy for HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer harboring BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations.

Investigators tested the drug against standard-of-care chemotherapy in the randomized placebo-controlled trial, according to the announcement.

Volunteers were either administered a twice daily dose of Lynparza at 300 milligrams or given injections of chemotherapy at periodic cycles.

Data from the study indicated Lynparza produced a statistically-significant improvement in progression-free survival versus patients receiving chemotherapy like capecitabine, vinorelbine or eribulin.

“These results are positive news for patients with BRCA-mutated metastatic breast cancer, a disease with a high unmet need, and are the first positive Phase III data for a PARP inhibitor beyond ovarian cancer. This is highly encouraging for the development of our broad portfolio which aims to treat multiple cancers by targeting DNA damage response pathways,” said AstraZeneca’s Chief Medical Officer Sean Bohen, in a statement.

This news bodes well for the firm as it seeks to build out its oncology portfolio. The company is focusing more on cancer drug development because top-selling drugs like Crestor have been impacted by generic competition and losing patent exclusivity.

Lynparza gained regulatory approval in 2014 for ovarian cancer, which generated $281 million in sales last year, reported Reuters. AstraZeneca hopes this drug could help it achieve its target of more than $40 billion in annual revenue in 2023.

A full analysis of the trial data is still ongoing and detailed information will be submitted for an upcoming medical meeting.

Investors were happy with the news though as Astra’s stock was up 1.39 percent in mid-day trading.