Investor Centre

Pharmaxis Ltd today announced the completion of an exploratory Phase IIa trial with ASM8 in patients with allergic asthma.

The trial was a double-blind, randomized, controlled, 3-way crossover study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of 14-day inhaled ASM8 in subjects with asthma.  The primary outcome measure was the effect of ASM8 on allergen induced Late Allergic Response 3-7 hours post-allergen challenge.  16 subjects participated in the trial and each received two doses of ASM8 (3mg or 7.8mg) or control at different times, once per day in a randomized, cross over fashion.

Bronchoconstriction (as measured by change in FEV1) during the late phase of the allergen challenge response was reduced by 44% (p<0.05) when dosed with3mg and by 41% (p<0.01) when dosed with 7.8mg ASM8, as assessed by the change in area under the curve, 3-7 hours post challenge compared to screening.  This is consistent with a previously reported trial that reduced the Late Allergen Response by 59% (p<0.005) following 4 day dosing with 8mg ASM8.  However, in the current trial, the control also reduced the Late Allergen Response by 44% (p<0.005), 3-7 hours post dose, meaning there was no difference between doses.

The statistically significant effect of the response when subjects were treated with vehicle is indicative of a drug carryover effect that can result in studies of a cross over design.