Auryxia ferric citrate: Additional Phase III data

Researchers at Rush University and colleagues reported data from a post hoc analysis of an open-label, international Phase III trial in 441 ESRD patients on hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis showing that Auryxia reduced the risk of hospitalization by 24.2% vs. the active comparator of Renvela sevelamer carbonate and/or PhosLo calcium acetate (p=0.02). There were 181 unique hospitalizations in the Auryxia arm vs. 239 in control arm, for a total potential savings of $867,622 in hospitalization costs in the Auryxia arm. The researchers said that if the hospitalization reduction was applied to the general ESRD population, it would translate into a savings of $3,002 per patient per year. Hospitalization costs were estimated using the 2013 U.S. Renal Data System Annual Data Report. Data were published in Expert Review of Pharmacoeconomics & Outcomes Research. Keryx previously reported data from the trial showing that Auryxia met the primary endpoint of reducing mean serum phosphorus levels from week 52 to week 56 vs. placebo (0.3 mg/dL vs. an increase of 1.9 mg/dL, p<0.0001) (see BioCentury, Feb. 4, 2013). ...