Akebia Therapeutics and U.S. Renal Care (USRC) have recently announced entry into a multi-year commercial supply contract encompassing all USRC dialysis centres. The contract enables USRC attending physicians to prescribe Vafseo for patients on dialysis as deemed clinically appropriate when it is expected to be available in January 2025.
In March 2024, Vafseo was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of anaemia due to chronic kidney disease (CKD) in adults who have been receiving dialysis for at least three months. Akebia expects to receive Transitional Drug Add-on Payment Adjustment designation for Vafseo in January 2025.
“We are excited to deliver a new choice in anaemia management for dialysis patients and are extremely pleased to have entered into this supply agreement with [USRC],” said John P Butler, chief executive officer (CEO) of Akebia. “We see USRC at the forefront of innovative care for patients on dialysis and we are pleased that they recognise Vafseo as an important option to make available for their patients. We believe that commitment to innovation will allow nearly 2,000 nephrologists access to prescribe Vafseo for patients living with kidney disease, as clinically appropriate.”
“[USRC] is pleased to partner with Akebia to make Vafseo accessible to our patients,” said Mark Caputo, chief executive officer (CEO), USRC. “Our office of the chief medical officer and teams of medical professionals are actively working on a protocol for Vafseo, and we believe nephrologists are eager to gain experience with an oral treatment that has the potential to advance the treatment of anaemia due to CKD in dialysis patients.”
