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06/09/2014 02:14

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RNS Number : 4489J
AstraZeneca PLC
12 June 2014 
 
ASTRAZENECA IN-LICENSES SYNAIRGEN'S SNG001 AS A NOVEL IMMUNO-MODULATORY
THERAPY FOR VIRAL-INDUCED EXACERBATION IN ASTHMA 
 
Phase IIa clinical study to commence in patients with severe asthma 
 
AstraZeneca today announced a global licence agreement with Synairgen Plc, an
AIM-listed UK company specialising in respiratory diseases, for SNG001, a
novel, inhaled interferon beta (IFN-beta) in clinical development for treating
respiratory tract viral infections in patients with severe asthma. SNG001
supports the immune system by correcting a deficiency which makes patients
vulnerable to respiratory tract viral infections. 
 
Under the terms of the exclusive licence agreement, AstraZeneca will pay
Synairgen a $7.25 million up-front fee and potential development, regulatory
and commercial milestones of up to $225 million. In addition, AstraZeneca will
pay tiered royalties ranging from single-digit up to mid-teens on commercial
sales. AstraZeneca will be responsible for future development costs. 
 
In early 2015, AstraZeneca will commence a Phase IIa study in patients with
severe asthma, building on available clinical data from an initial Phase lla
trial in a broad asthma population. SNG001 also provides the opportunity to
expand the clinical programme in other pulmonary diseases including chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). 
 
Maarten Kraan, Head of Respiratory, Inflammation & Autoimmune Innovative
Medicines, AstraZeneca, said: "Respiratory disease is a core therapeutic area
for AstraZeneca, and a key growth platform for the company. Our approach
includes addressing associated complications that patients experience, as well
as developing treatments for the underlying disease. SNG001 is an innovative
and targeted therapy that has, if successful, the potential to offer a
step-change in the treatment of severe asthma, and possibly COPD." 
 
Richard Marsden, Synairgen CEO, commented: "We're delighted that this truly
innovative programme, discovered at the University of Southampton and
developed by Synairgen, will be taken forward by AstraZeneca. With its strong
research focus and extensive experience in respiratory disease, AstraZeneca's
commitment to developing novel medicines for patients with asthma and COPD
makes them the ideal partner for SNG001." 
 
About SNG001 
 
SNG001 has a broad spectrum anti-viral effect and acts by delivering IFN-beta
to the lungs when an infection, such as a common cold, begins to develop in
the upper airways. Inhaled IFN-beta boosts the anti-viral defence and combats
the spread of the virus, preventing or reducing the severity of
exacerbations. 
 
About respiratory viral infections 
 
Respiratory viruses worsen symptoms in patients with asthma and COPD leading
to an inflammatory response and exacerbations. The reason for the increased
vulnerability of patients with pulmonary disease to viral infections is
thought to be a deficiency in their ability to produce IFN-beta in the lungs.
There is currently no effective treatment option available, placing a burden
on the health care system due to the costs of hospital care. 
 
About Synairgen Plc 
 
Synairgen is a respiratory drug development company founded by Professors
Stephen Holgate, Donna Davies and Ratko Djukanovic at the University of
Southampton. Synairgen is quoted on AIM (LSE: SNG). For more information about
Synairgen, please see www.synairgen.com 
 
About AstraZeneca 
 
AstraZeneca is a global, innovation-driven biopharmaceutical business that
focuses on the discovery, development and commercialisation of prescription
medicines, primarily for the treatment of cardiovascular, metabolic,
respiratory, inflammation, autoimmune, oncology, infection and neuroscience
diseases. AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative
medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. For more information
please visit: www.astrazeneca.com. 
 
CONTACTS 
 
Media Enquiries 
 
Esra Erkal-Paler                          +44 20 7604 8030 (UK/Global) 
 
Vanessa Rhodes                         +44 20 7604 8037 (UK/Global) 
 
Jacob Lund                                  +46 8 553 260 20 (Sweden) 
 
Michele Meixell                            + 1 302 885 6351 (US) 
 
Investor Enquiries 
 
Karl Hård                                    +44 20 7604 8123  mob: +44 7789
654364 
 
Colleen Proctor                           + 1 302 886 1842     mob:  +1 302
357 4882 
 
Anthony Brown                            +44 20 7604 8067    mob: +44 7585
404943 
 
Jens Lindberg                             +44 20 7604 8414    mob: +44 7557
319729 
 
12 June 2014 
 
-ENDS- 
 
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