Akebia Announces Dosing oO First Patient In Phase 2 Study of AKB-6548 In Patients With Anemia Related To Chronic Kidney Disease Undergoing Dialysis

Akebia Therapeutics, Inc. AKBA, a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel, proprietary therapeutics based on hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) biology and the commercialization of these products for patients with kidney disease, today announced that the first patient has been dosed in a Phase 2 clinical study of AKB-6548 in patients with anemia related to chronic kidney disease (CKD) who are undergoing dialysis. AKB-6548 is being developed as a once-daily, oral therapy with best-in-class potential for the treatment of anemia related to CKD. “With this study, we are expanding our clinical experience with AKB-6548 beyond the non-dialysis CKD setting to include the treatment of anemia in patients with end-stage renal disease receiving dialysis,” said Brad Maroni, M.D., Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at Akebia. “Current therapy with injectable recombinant erythropoiesis-stimulating agents, or rESAs, carries well-documented safety risks and may be associated with excessive increases or fluctuations in hemoglobin levels. We look forward to evaluating the potential of AKB-6548 to treat anemia in patients undergoing dialysis while controlling hemoglobin levels in a safe and predictable manner.” The Phase 2 multi-center, open-label study will enroll approximately 60 patients with anemia related to CKD who are undergoing dialysis. The study will evaluate patients for a total of 16 weeks of treatment, including an assessment of hemoglobin (HGB) response to AKB-6548 during an initial eight-week dosing period, followed by an assessment of HGB response to algorithm-guided dose adjustments of AKB-6548 during an additional eight weeks of treatment. Secondary objectives include pharmacodynamic response, safety, and tolerability of AKB-6548 in this patient population. Patients will receive AKB-6548 in place of their existing injectable rESA therapy. Data from this clinical study are expected in the third quarter of 2015. “The initiation of this study is an important milestone in our development program for AKB-6548,” said John P. Butler, President and Chief Executive Officer of Akebia. “We believe AKB-6548 holds best-in-class potential to address the urgent need for safer and more effective treatment options for patients undergoing dialysis who are trying to manage this difficult condition. We look forward to seeing the results of this study next year.” Akebia is also evaluating AKB-6548 in a Phase 2b trial for the treatment of anemia related to CKD in non-dialysis patients, with results expected in the fourth quarter of 2014.