05:56 PM EDT, 04/16/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Amgen ( AMGN ) said late Tuesday it is planning for the phase 3 trial of tezepelumab in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, encouraged by the results of phase 2a proof-of-concept study.

The company said the phase 2a study investigated tezepelumab in moderate to very severe COPD patients.

"Overall, tezepelumab numerically reduced the annualized rate of moderate or severe COPD exacerbations versus placebo by 17%," the company said, citing data from the study.

An update on the study will be presented at the American Thoracic Society 2024 International Conference on May 20, the company said.

Amgen ( AMGN ) shares rose 0.1% in after-hours trading.