Pieris Pharmaceuticals Announces AstraZeneca Discontinuation of Phase 2a Trial of Elarekibep (PRS-060/AZD1402) Due to New Non-Clinical Safety Findings From 13-week Toxicology Study

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Jun 21, 2023

BOSTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / June 21, 2023 / Pieris Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:PIRS), a clinical-stage biotechnology company advancing novel biotherapeutics through its proprietary Anticalin® technology platform for respiratory diseases and cancer indications, announced that partner AstraZeneca yesterday communicated to Pieris its decision to discontinue and cease dosing in the ongoing clinical studies of elarekibep, an inhaled IL-4 receptor alpha inhibitor under development for the treatment of asthma. This decision was based on lung findings from a non-clinical 13-week GLP toxicology study with dry powder inhaler-formulated elarekibep, which are not a concern for the active clinical studies but do not support long-term use and progression to later-stage development. AstraZeneca's decision was made independent of any data from the Phase 2a study. Pieris will expedite a review of the implications of the data and AstraZeneca's decision on the program and will review its overall corporate priorities prior to sharing a further update.