Content about Nephrology

September 4, 2012
Impax settles with Genzyme over kidney dialysis drugs

Generic drug maker Impax Labs has settled with a subsidiary of Sanofi regarding generic versions of two drugs for dialysis patients, Impax said Tuesday.

HAYWARD, Calif. — Generic drug maker Impax Labs has settled with a subsidiary of Sanofi regarding generic versions of two drugs for dialysis patients, Impax said Tuesday.

Impax announced a settlement with Genzyme concerning generic versions of Renvela (sevelamer carbonate) 800 mg tablets and 2.4 g and 0.8 g oral suspension and Renagel (sevelamer hydrochloride) tablets in the 400 mg and 800 mg strengths.

July 31, 2012
MinuteClinic, American Heart Association collaborate for hypertension management

CVS Caremark’s MinuteClinic has teamed up with the American Heart Association in a nationwide effort to improve the identification, treatment and management of high blood pressure.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark’s MinuteClinic has teamed up with the American Heart Association in a nationwide effort to improve the identification, treatment and management of high blood pressure.

According to the American Heart Association, 1-out-of-3 American adults has high blood pressure or hypertension. Uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to stroke, heart attack, heart failure and kidney failure.

July 2, 2012
The Little Clinic partners with University of Louisville Physicians

The Little Clinic has announced a collaborative affiliation with the University of Louisville Physicians’ Preventive Cardiology practice, which marks the third affiliation that The Little Clinic has formed with a medical group.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Little Clinic has announced a collaborative affiliation with the University of Louisville Physicians’ Preventive Cardiology practice, which marks the third affiliation that The Little Clinic has formed with a medical group.

The partnership focuses on the management of hypertension for patients currently without a primary care physician. The relationship will create more convenient and affordable treatment by offering much of the ongoing monitoring for hypertension at The Little Clinic locations inside select Louisville Kroger stores.

June 28, 2012
Botanical Labs launches gluten-free protein liquid supplement

Botanical Labs on Wednesday launched its certified gluten-free Protein Complete liquid dietary supplement that is fortified with 10 g of protein per 1-oz. serving.

FERNDALE, Wash. — Botanical Labs on Wednesday launched its certified gluten-free Protein Complete liquid dietary supplement that is fortified with 10 g of protein per 1-oz. serving.

Wellesse Protein Complete and the entire Wellesse line of supplements target:

  • Consumers requiring rapid absorption and ease of dosing in liquid nutritional sources during critical recovery and ongoing malabsorption maintenance, following bariatric surgery and other medical procedures;

June 19, 2012
Takeda: Edarbyclor demonstrates statistically superior blood-pressure reductions

A Takeda drug designed to treat hypertension was statistically superior to a competing drug in reducing systolic blood pressure among patients in a late-stage clinical trial.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — A Takeda drug designed to treat hypertension was statistically superior to a competing drug in reducing systolic blood pressure among patients in a late-stage clinical trial.

June 7, 2012
Perrigo wins approval for renal failure drug

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug for kidney disease made by Perrigo.

ALLEGAN, Mich. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug for kidney disease made by Perrigo.

Perrigo announced the approval of calcium acetate capsules, a generic version of Nabi Biopharmaceuticals' Phoslo Gelcaps. The drug is used to treat end-stage renal failure.

Perrigo settled a patent infringement lawsuit concerning the drug last year, though terms of the settlement were not disclosed. Annual sales of the branded version of the drug and generic versions were $95 million, according to Wolters Kluwer Health.

April 27, 2012
FDA approves Novartis drug for tumors in patients with rare genetic disease

A drug made by Novartis has received approval from the Food and Drug Administration to treat benign kidney tumors related to tuberous sclerosis complex.

EAST HANOVER, N.J. — A drug made by Novartis has received approval from the Food and Drug Administration to treat benign kidney tumors related to tuberous sclerosis complex.

The FDA approved Afinitor (everolimus) tablets for treating the tumors, known as renal angiomyolipomas, in adults with TSC who don't require surgery. The drug already was approved to treat brain tumors known as subependymal giant cell astrocytoma, or SEGA, in patients with TSC.

April 10, 2012
Amgen to acquire Kai for $315 million

Biotech manufacturer Amgen will acquire the private South San Francisco, Calif.-based drug developer Kai Pharmaceuticals for $315 million, the companies said Tuesday.

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — Biotech manufacturer Amgen will acquire the private South San Francisco, Calif.-based drug developer Kai Pharmaceuticals for $315 million, the companies said Tuesday.

The deal includes the acquisition of KAI-4169, an experimental drug Kai is developing for secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients with chronic kidney disease who are on dialysis. Amgen has provided a loan to fund phase-3 clinical studies of the drug and will acquire rights to it worldwide, except for Japan.

March 28, 2012
FDA approves Omontys for kidney disease-related anemia

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new treatment for anemia in patients with chronic kidney disease.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new treatment for anemia in patients with chronic kidney disease.

The FDA announced the approval of Affymax's Omontys (peginesatide), a drug belonging to the class known as erythropoiesis-stimulating agents, designed to aid the formation of red blood cells.

January 12, 2012
Active Health Foods rolls out Active X bar for dialysis patients

Active Health Foods has introduced an energy bar designed for dialysis patients.

RIVERSIDE, Calif. — Active Health Foods has introduced an energy bar designed for dialysis patients.

The Active X double chocolate chip bar is made with an exclusive, proprietary formula and joins the company's current lineup of energy bars sold under the Active X and Active X Plus brands.

December 21, 2011
FDA approves Takeda's Edarbyclor

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug for high blood pressure made by Takeda, the drug maker said.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug for high blood pressure made by Takeda, the drug maker said.

The Japanese drug maker received approval for Edarbyclor (azilsartan medoxomil and chlorthalidone) for the treatment of high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. The company called it the only fixed-dose therapy that combines an angiotensin II receptor blocker with chlorthalidone, a diuretic, in a once-daily, single tablet. The company also markets Edarbi, which only contains azilsartan medoxomil.

December 20, 2011
Study: High blood pressure in middle age fair predictor of heart attack, stroke

A hike in blood pressure during middle age significantly raises the risk of having a heart attack or a stroke, according to new Northwestern Medicine research released Monday.

CHICAGO — A hike in blood pressure during middle age significantly raises the risk of having a heart attack or a stroke, according to new Northwestern Medicine research released Monday. The study offers a new understanding on the importance of maintaining low blood pressure early in middle age to prevent heart disease later in life.

September 23, 2011
FDA approves first-ever drug for rare blood disorder

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a treatment made by Alexion Pharmaceuticals for a rare blood disorder that affects children.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a treatment made by Alexion Pharmaceuticals for a rare blood disorder that affects children.

The FDA announced the approval of Soliris (eculizumab) for atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome, a rare and chronic disease that can lead to kidney failure, stroke and death. According to the FDA, aHUS accounts for 5% to 10% of all cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome.

August 23, 2011
Publix offers free lisinopril to pharmacy patients

Publix announced that it now offers free 30-day supplies (up to 30 tablets) of lisinopril to customers with a prescription for the medication.

LAKELAND, Fla. — Publix announced that it now offers free 30-day supplies (up to 30 tablets) of lisinopril to customers with a prescription for the medication.

All strengths of generic lisinopril are free, Publix said, noting, however, that lisinopril-hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) combination products are excluded from the offer. Lisinopril is designed to prevent, treat or improve symptoms of such conditions as hypertension, certain heart conditions, diabetes and certain chronic kidney conditions.

April 22, 2011
Study: Pirfenidone could improve kidney function among diabetic nephropathy patients

An investigational antifibrotic and anti-inflammatory drug could help treat a common complication of diabetes.

NEW YORK — An investigational antifibrotic and anti-inflammatory drug could help treat a common complication of diabetes.

Researchers at the University of California-San Diego School of Medicine, the National Institutes of Health and the Mayo Clinic found that pirfenidone potentially could treat diabetic nephropathy, a leading cause of end-stage kidney disease.

April 7, 2011
NAD to DSE Healthcare Solutions: Modify ads for Cystex products

The National Advertising Division of the Council of Better Business Bureaus on Wednesday recommended that DSE Healthcare Solutions, which markets both Cystex urinary pain relief tablets and Cystex liquid cranberry complex with Proantinox, modify its advertising to better distinguish the two products.

NEW YORK — The National Advertising Division of the Council of Better Business Bureaus on Wednesday recommended that DSE Healthcare Solutions, which markets both Cystex urinary pain relief tablets and Cystex liquid cranberry complex with Proantinox, modify its advertising to better distinguish the two products.

March 7, 2011
Keryx to present phase-3 clinical data for Zerenex at conference

Late-stage clinical trial data for a Keryx Biopharmaceuticals drug to treat kidney disease will be presented at a medical conference in Las Vegas.

NEW YORK — Late-stage clinical trial data for a Keryx Biopharmaceuticals drug to treat kidney disease will be presented at a medical conference in Las Vegas.

Keryx said Monday that phase-3 data for the drug Zerenex (ferric citrate), a drug for abnormally high phosphate levels in patients with end-stage kidney disease on dialysis, will be presented at the upcoming National Kidney Foundation spring clinical meetings in April.

The company announced “positive” results from a phase-3 trial of the drug in November.

February 28, 2011
Takeda's Edarbi approved as hypertension treatment

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new treatment for hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, the agency said Friday.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new treatment for hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, the agency said Friday.

The FDA approved Takeda’s Edarbi (azilsartan medoxomil).

February 25, 2011
Type 1 diabetics continue to be at risk for kidney disease

Advances in kidney care have not led to successful efforts to improve therapy for patients with Type 1 diabetes, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.

BOSTON — Advances in kidney care have not led to successful efforts to improve therapy for patients with Type 1 diabetes, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.

February 24, 2011
Takeda seeks FDA approval for hypertension treatment

Drug maker Takeda has filed for regulatory approval of a drug to treat hypertension, the company said Wednesday.

OSAKA, Japan — Drug maker Takeda has filed for regulatory approval of a drug to treat hypertension, the company said Wednesday.

Takeda announced that it had submitted an application with the Food and Drug Administration for the fixed-dose drug azilsartan medoxomil and chlorthalidone. Azilsartan medoxomil is an angiotensin II receptor blocker, or ARB, that lowers blood pressure by blocking the angiotensin II hormone.

February 8, 2011
Vascugel granted fast-track designation by FDA

The Food and Drug Administration has given expedited review to a drug for preventing hemodialysis failure in patients with end-stage kidney disease.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — The Food and Drug Administration has given expedited review to a drug for preventing hemodialysis failure in patients with end-stage kidney disease.

The FDA granted fast-track review status to the cell-based therapy Vascugel, made by Pervasis Therapeutics. The FDA grants the status to accelerate review of treatments for serious and life-threatening conditions, particularly those that address serious, unmet medical conditions.

February 1, 2011
CVS study: Adherence shrinks health costs

Pharmacy and health policy advocates endlessly tout the cost-saving 
benefits of improved medication adherence. In January, CVS Caremark put more teeth into that argument with some dramatic new findings that should get the attention of every health plan payer.


December 23, 2010
FDA approves Novartis drug for high blood pressure treatment

The Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday approved Novartis Pharmaceuticals’ Amturnide (aliskiren, amlodipine and hydrochlorothiazide) tablets for the treatment of high blood pressure, according to the pharma company.

EAST HANOVER, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday approved Novartis Pharmaceuticals’ Amturnide (aliskiren, amlodipine and hydrochlorothiazide) tablets for the treatment of high blood pressure, according to the pharma company. 

Amturnide combines the only approved direct rennin inhibitor worldwide, Tekturna (aliskiren), with the widely used calcium channel blocker amlodipine and the diuretic hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ).

December 1, 2010
Keryx: Zerenex reduces phosphate levels in patients on kidney dialysis

Drug maker Keryx Biopharmaceuticals got promising results from a late-stage clinical trial of a drug for treating elevated phosphate levels, also known as hyperphosphatemia, in patients on kidney dialysis, the company said Tuesday.

NEW YORK — Drug maker Keryx Biopharmaceuticals got promising results from a late-stage clinical trial of a drug for treating elevated phosphate levels, also known as hyperphosphatemia, in patients on kidney dialysis, the company said Tuesday.

In a phase-3 trial, Zerenex (ferric citrate) significantly reduced phosphate levels in patients with end-stage kidney disease on dialysis.

November 21, 2010
Vytorin helps reduce cardiac events in chronic kidney disease patients

A cholesterol-lowering drug made by Merck appears to reduce the risk of heart attacks, strokes...

DENVER A cholesterol-lowering drug made by Merck appears to reduce the risk of heart attacks, strokes and cardiac death in patients with chronic kidney disease, according to results of a new study.

 

Merck said results of a 9,000-patient clinical study showed that Vytorin (ezetimibe and simvastatin) reduced the risks by 16.1% compared with placebo. Results of the study were presented Saturday at the annual meeting of the American Society of Nephrology.