AKB-6548 For Anemia

Anemia is the most common disorder of the blood and results from reduced production of red blood cells. Though there are many forms of anemia, the most common causes of chronic anemia are iron or vitamin deficiency, kidney disease, chronic inflammatory diseases and cancer treatment from chemotherapy or radiation.

Treatments for anemia depend on both the cause and severity, and may include iron (usually as ferrous sulfate), Vitamin B-12, blood transfusions (in extreme situations) and recombinant erythropoietin (erythropoietin stimulating agents, or ESAs). There are currently several injectable ESAs available generating annual U.S. sales of approximately $10 billion. While ESAs have improved the quality of life for many patients suffering from serious anemia, there are many safety issues associated with these products, which are currently only available in injectable formulations.

Akebia’s lead compound, AKB-6548, is a once daily, orally administered hypoxia inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase (HIF-PH) inhibitor designed to increase natural production of erythropoietin in anemic patients. The company is initially targeting patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), a patient population that is currently undertreated for anemia. AKB-6548 has been designed to improve the efficacy of injectable ESAs by more manageably controlling the rise of hemoglobin, in a more cost effective, patient friendly and safe manner. AKB-6548 is currently in phase 2 clinical trials.