Positive Phase IIb data from AstraZeneca in lupus and RA but PhIII not assured

AstraZeneca's MedImmune unit has presented positive Phase IIb data at the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) meeting this week from two products highlighted by CEO Pascal Soriot as 'ones to watch' as he fended off Pfizer's unwanted advances earlier this year (scripintelligence.com, 28 May 2014). However, their progress into Phase III is not assured as AstraZeneca is waiting on data from other trials before making a decision on how to proceed.