Takeda launches new phase III trial of Hematide

Takeda has commenced a new phase III clinical trial of Hematide, its investigational drug for sufferers of anaemia in chronic renal failure.

The pharmaceutical company has enrolled 350 patients for the 24-week trial, which will aim to gauge the safety and efficacy of its product both in patients who are on haemodialysis and those who are not.

It is one of a number of phase III trials which the Japanese firm has been conducting around the world, with top-line study results set to be published at some point during the first quarter of 2010.

Dr Nancy Joseph-Ridge, general manager of the pharmaceutical development division of Takeda, stated that she was satisfied with the progress made by the promising drug.

She added: “This milestone enables Takeda to be a step closer to providing patients with a potential new treatment option for anemia in chronic renal failure.”

Earlier this month, Takeda launched its osteosarcoma drug Mepact in the the UK and Europe, stating that it is the first treatment of its kind to be released in two decades.