Better Health, Brighter Future
Palo Alto, Calif., & Deerfield, Ill., March 23, 2011 – Affymax, Inc. (Nasdaq: AFFY) and Takeda Global Research & Development Center, Inc., U.S., today announced multiple posters on peginesatide (formerly known as Hematide™) have been accepted for presentation at the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) 2011 Spring Clinical Meeting taking place April 26-30, 2011 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Peginesatide is an investigational agent in development by Affymax and Takeda for the treatment of anemia in chronic renal failure patients on dialysis. The companies and investigators will present three posters highlighting Phase 3 data on peginesatide in dialysis patients with anemia related to chronic renal failure, including additional data on the trial subjects in the EMERALD dialysis studies. Details of the poster presentations at NKF follow:
Wednesday, April 27, 2011, 6:00-7:30 p.m.:
Safety and Efficacy of Peginesatide for Treatment of Anemia in Hemodialysis Patients Previously on Epoetin Alfa or Beta (Besarab, et al.)1
Safety and Efficacy of Peginesatide for Treatment of Anemia in Hemodialysis Patients Previously on Epoetin Alfa (Schiller, et al.) 2
Peginesatide Phase 3 Trial Subjects vs. a Random Sample of United States Hemodialysis Patients (Yang, et al.) 3
*Note: Time listed is Pacific Standard Time
About Peginesatide
Peginesatide is a novel synthetic, PEGylated peptidic compound that binds to and activates the erythropoietin receptor and thus acts as an erythropoesis stimulating agent or ESA.
Affymax and Takeda are collaborating on the development of peginesatide and plan to co-commercialize the product if approved in the United States. Phase 3 clinical trials were designed to investigate the potential for peginesatide to treat anemia associated with chronic renal failure. A New Drug Application submission for peginesatide is anticipated in the second quarter of 2011. The product, upon approval, will be commercialized outside the United States by Takeda.
About Anemia in Chronic Renal Failure (CRF)
Anemia is a common complication in chronic kidney disease (also referred to as CKD or chronic renal failure), because the impaired kidneys are not able to produce enough erythropoietin, the hormone that promotes the production of oxygen-carrying red blood cells.4 Research has shown that anemia impacts the overall health and well being of CKD and dialysis patients and is associated with increased rates of hospitalization and mortality.5 In severe or prolonged cases of anemia, the lack of oxygen in the blood can cause serious and sometimes fatal damage to the heart and other organs.6,7
Anemia often develops in the early stages of CKD and worsens as patients progress toward total kidney failure and need dialysis (also referred to as end-stage renal disease).4 ESAs, which stimulate red blood cell production, are commonly prescribed to treat anemia in chronic renal failure (CRF).6,7 According to the Center for Medicaid Services, more than 95 percent of patients on dialysis in the U.S. are currently receiving ESA treatment for anemia in CRF.8
About Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc. and Takeda Global Research & Development Center, Inc.
Based in Deerfield, Ill., Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc. and Takeda Global Research & Development Center, Inc. are subsidiaries of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, the largest pharmaceutical company in Japan. The respective companies currently market oral diabetes, insomnia, rheumatology, gastroenterology and cardiovascular disease treatments and seek to bring innovative products to patients through a pipeline that includes compounds in development for diabetes, gastroenterology, neurology and other conditions. To learn more about these Takeda companies, visit www.tpna.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding Takeda's plans, outlook, strategies, results for the future, and other statements that are not descriptions of historical facts. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as "may," "believe," "will," "expect," "project," "estimate," "should," "anticipate," "plan," “assume,” "continue," "seek," "pro forma," "potential," "target," "forecast," “guidance,” “outlook” or "intend" or other similar words or expressions of the negative thereof. Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions made by management that are believed to be reasonable, though they are inherently uncertain and difficult to predict. Investors are cautioned not to unduly rely on such forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or experience to differ materially from that expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Some of these risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, (1) the economic circumstances surrounding Takeda's business, including general economic conditions in Japan, the United States and worldwide; (2) competitive pressures and developments; (3) applicable laws and regulations; (4) the success or failure of product development programs; (5) actions of regulatory authorities and the timing thereof; (6) changes in exchange rates; (7) claims or concerns regarding the safety or efficacy of marketed products or product candidates in development; and (8) integration activities with acquired companies.
The forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release, and Takeda undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, future events or circumstances after the date of the forward-looking statement. If Takeda does update or correct one or more of these statements, investors and others should not conclude that Takeda will make additional updates or corrections.
About Affymax, Inc.
Affymax, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company committed to developing novel drugs to improve the treatment of serious and often life-threatening conditions. For additional information, please visit www.affymax.com.
This release contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the continuation and success of Affymax’s collaboration with Takeda, milestones expected to be accomplished, timing, design and progress of the peginesatide development program and the timing and potential regulatory approval and commercialization of peginesatide. Affymax’s actual results may differ materially from those indicated in these forward-looking statements due to risks and uncertainties, including risks relating to our ability to submit a New Drug Application (NDA) in the second quarter, the completeness of the NDA filing, risks relating to data quality and integrity particularly in non-inferiority designed trials, the continued safety and efficacy of peginesatide in clinical development, the timing of patient accrual in ongoing and planned clinical studies, regulatory requirements and approvals, research and development efforts, industry and competitive environment, intellectual property rights and disputes and potential for costs, disruptions and consequences of litigation, financing requirements and ability to access capital and other matters that are described in Affymax's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. Affymax undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement in this press release.
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References
Besarab, et al. “Safety and Efficacy of Peginesatide for Treatment of Anemia in Hemodialysis Patients Previously on Epoetin Alfa or Beta.” NKF 2011 Abstract.
Schiller, et al. “Safety and Efficacy of Peginesatide for Treatment of Anemia in Hemodialysis Patients Previously on Epoetin Alfa.” NKF 2011 Abstract.
Yang, et al. “Peginesatide Phase 3 Trial Subjects vs. a Random Sample of United States Hemodialysis Patients.” NKF 2011 Abstract.
Astor et al “Association of Kidney Function with Anemia: The Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1988-1992). Archives of Internal Medicine 2002; 162: 1401-1408
National Kidney Foundation. “Anemia and Chronic Kidney Disease.” http://www.kidney.org/Atoz/pdf/anemia.pdf. Accessed March 2, 2011.
National Heart Lung Blood Institute “What is Anemia.” http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/anemia/anemia_what is.html. Accessed March 2, 2011.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. “MEDCAC Meeting 3/24/2010 - Erythopoiesis Stimulating Agents (ESA) in Anemia Related to Kidney Disease.” http://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/details/medcac-meeting-details.aspx?MEDCACId=52. Accessed March 4, 2011.
Contacts:
Josephine Zammuto
Corporate Communications
Takeda Global Research & Development Center, Inc.
224-554-2795
Sylvia Wheeler
Vice President, Corporate Communications
Affymax, Inc.
650-812-8861