Keryx Biopharmaceuticals Announces Positive Top-Line Results from Phase 3 Study of Ferric Citrate (Zerenex™) in Japan by Partner, Japan Tobacco and Torii Pharmaceutical

Keryx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.

, announced today that its Japanese partner, Japan Tobacco Inc. (JT) and Torii Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Torii), has announced positive top-line results from a Phase 3 study of ferric citrate in Japan for the treatment of hyperphosphatemia in end-stage renal disease patients on hemodialysis. This study is part of an ongoing Phase 3 program for ferric citrate in Japan for the treatment of hyperphosphatemia. The Phase 3 study, conducted in Japan, was an open-label, randomized study evaluating the efficacy and safety of ferric citrate against an active control, sevelamer hydrochloride, over 12 weeks in hemodialysis patients with hyperphosphatemia. In the top-line results, which evaluated the change of serum phosphorus from baseline, the primary endpoint of efficacy met non-inferiority to sevelamer hydrochloride. Furthermore, there were no clinically significant findings on safety and tolerability of ferric citrate within the treatment period. JT/Torii stated that it is aiming to submit the marketing application for ferric citrate in Japan in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2013.