By Ian Walker

AstraZeneca PLC said Friday that Alexion is discontinuing the Phase 3 trial of Ultomiris in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis following a recommendation by the Independent Data Monitoring Committee.

The drug giant said that the committee recommended the trial stop due to lack of efficacy, adding that no new safety findings were observed.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a rare disease that affects motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord.

Write to Ian Walker at ian.walker@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

08-20-21 0240ET