(Alliance News) - AstraZeneca PLC on Monday announced positive high-level results from its Neuro-TTRansform phase III trial for eplontersen, while Enhertu received another approval in Japan.

The trial explored the treatment for use in hereditary transthyretin-mediated amyloid polyneuropathy. "At 66 weeks, patients treated with eplontersen continued to demonstrate a statistically significant and clinically meaningful change from baseline versus an external placebo group," the Cambridge-based pharmaceutical company said.

The results are consistent with previous findings published in June, which showed positive 35-week findings.

Mene Pangalos, executive vice president of AstraZeneca's BioPharmaceuticals research & development unit, said: "These results further underscore eplontersen’s potential to be a best-in-class treatment across all forms of transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis, including polyneuropathy and cardiomyopathy which can lead to heart failure.

"With limited treatment options currently available, there is an urgent unmet medical need for new therapies and earlier, accurate diagnosis across the different types of this systemic, progressive and fatal condition."

Eplontersen is an investigational medicine, which targets the reduction the production of transthyretin protein. Polyneuropathy is the simultaneous malfunction of several peripheral nerves throughout the body.

Meanwhile, AstraZeneca's Tokyo-based partner Daiichi Sankyo Co Ltd said Enhertu, an antibody-drug conjugate which the two companies jointly develop, has been approved in Japan for treating adults with HER2 low unresectable or recurrent breast cancer after prior chemotherapy.

"For the first time, certain patients in Japan whose tumors have a low HER2 expression have a treatment option available targeted specifically for them," said Wataru Takasaki, head of Daiichi's research & development division in Japan.

AstraZeneca shares shares were 1.1% higher at 11,196.00 pence each in London on Monday morning, while Daiichi Sankyo shares closed 0.5% higher in Tokyo at JPY4,694.00.

By Tom Budszus, Alliance News reporter

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