AstraZeneca has posted positive top-line late-stage results on its investigational gout drug lesinurad.

Three Phase III studies looked at lesinurad, 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 and 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.

Chief medical officer Briggs Morrison said there is a significant unmet need, with 40%-70% of gout patients not reaching target levels of sUA with the current standard of care. He added that these data indicate that combination therapy with lesinurad may be a potential treatment option.

AstraZeneca got hold of lesinurad through its $1.26 billion acquisition of Ardea Biosciences in June 2012.