AstraZeneca and FibroGen have recently entered into an agreement to develop and commercialize a therapy for anemia of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and the symptoms associated with it. The collaboration will involve the joint development and commercialization of FibroGen`s FG-4592, a hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor.
The agreement is a strategic move for AstraZeneca, which is seeking to expand its existing portfolio of chronic kidney disease therapies. The company currently has two drugs in its pipeline for CKD patients in the late-stage clinical trial phase. FibroGen, on the other hand, brings to the table its expertise in HIF-PH inhibition, which has shown promising results in treating anemia associated with CKD.
The two companies plan to work together to secure regulatory approvals for FG-4592 in the US and other key markets, enabling them to bring the therapy to patients as quickly as possible. AstraZeneca will have the exclusive rights to commercialize FG-4592 in all markets outside China, while FibroGen will have exclusive rights in China.
Anemia is a common complication of CKD, affecting up to 90% of patients in the later stages of the disease. It is caused by a deficiency of erythropoietin, a hormone that stimulates the production of red blood cells. FG-4592 works by increasing the production of erythropoietin, thereby addressing the underlying cause of anemia.
The agreement between AstraZeneca and FibroGen is a promising development in the field of CKD therapy. It brings together two companies with complementary strengths, creating a partnership that has the potential to advance the treatment of CKD and improve the lives of millions of patients worldwide.
In conclusion, the AstraZeneca-FibroGen agreement on FG-4592 is an exciting development for the treatment of anemia associated with CKD. The partnership between the two companies has the potential to bring this innovative therapy to market quickly, benefiting patients around the world.