Singapore: AstraZeneca's drug candidate Lesinurd has successfully finished Phase III trials, as per reports.

Three Phase III studies looked at the drug, a selective uric acid (sUA) re-absorption inhibitor, in combination with xanthine oxidase inhibitors - two trials with allopurinol and one with Takeda's Uloric (febuxostat). The drug reached its primary endpoints, by reducing sUA levels. AstraZeneca is looking to file its 200mg combo dose. The incidence of renal-related adverse events and kidney stones was higher with Lesinurad 400mg plus an XO inhibitor.

AstraZeneca's chief medical officer, Mr Briggs Morrison said that there is a significant unmet need, with 40-70 percent of gout patients not reaching the target levels of sUA with the current standards of care. He added that this data indicates that a combination therapy with Lesinurad may be a potential treatment option.