Pharmaceutical Business review

FDA approves Affymax anemia drug

OMONTYS is the once-monthly erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) for anemia.

The approval was based on a new drug application, which included results from two Phase III studies.

The studies demonstrated the safety and efficacy of OMONTYS dosed once monthly, compared to epoetin dosed between one-to-three times per week, in maintaining hemoglobin (Hb) levels in anemic CKD patients on dialysis.

Affymax chief executive officer John Orwin said the approval of OMONTYS provides a therapeutic alternative to treat anemia of CKD in adult patients on dialysis.

"With OMONTYS, doctors and patients will have access to a once-monthly alternative for the treatment of anemia in adult CKD patients on dialysis," Orwin added.