AstraZeneca has received positive results for an experimental, injectable biotech drug for severe asthma, reports Reuters.
The company previously flagged the drug as a potential $2 billion-a-year seller.
Benralizumab, which ─ according to reports ─ is likely to reach the market next year, was well tolerated and succeeded in reducing asthma attacks in two essential clinical trials.
According to Andrew Ward of "Financial Times," this puts AstraZeneca on course for a head-to-head battle with GlaxoSmithKline over a new generation of asthma drugs that are injected rather than inhaled. GSK took the lead last year when it won regulatory approval for its Nucala product.