Astellas launches kidney disease drug trial

Astellas and partner FibroGen have announced the initiation of a phase III trial of FG-4592/ASP1517, a therapy for anaemia associated with chronic kidney disease.

The clinical study has been launched following the conclusion of a phase II study showing the potential benefits of the new orally administered small molecule for this patient group.

It is hoped that positive results from this trial can be used to support the companies' efforts to gain regulatory approval for the drug in the US and Europe.

This would be a positive step forward in the management of chronic kidney disease, a critical worldwide health issue that affects millions of people and generates significant healthcare costs.

Dr Steven Ryder, president of Astellas Pharma Global Development, said: "Through this new mechanism of action, we hope to provide significant therapeutic benefits to patients with anaemia associated with chronic kidney disease."

This week, the company completed recruitment for a phase III trial of isavuconazole, a potential primary treatment for invasive and life-threatening fungal infections.