Akebia’s Vafseo approved for anemia in Australia

Akebia announced that Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration has granted approval for Vafseo, an oral hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor for the treatment of anemia associated with chronic kidney disease in adults on chronic maintenance dialysis. Vadadustat achieved the primary and key secondary efficacy endpoint in each of the two INNO2VATE studies, demonstrating non-inferiority to darbepoetin alfa as measured by a mean change in hemoglobin between baseline and the primary evaluation period and secondary evaluation period. Vadadustat also achieved the primary safety endpoint of the INNO2VATE program. To support the global launch of Vafseo and prepare for a potential launch in the U.S., Akebia also announced an addition to its commercial team. Akebia appointed Graham Ray as VP, Key Accounts, reporting to Bennett Smith, Senior VP, Commercial, to lead customer engagement. Ray spent over nearly 20 years at Takeda Pharmaceuticals.