Novartis acquires rights to develop and commercialize new treatment for hyperphosphatemia in kidney dialysis patients

22-Aug-2005

Novartis announced that it has signed an agreement with SeBo GmbH of Germany to acquire the global rights for a novel oral phosphate binder in development for the treatment of elevated serum phosphate levels (hyperphosphatemia) in late- or end-stage renal disease patients.

Under the terms of the agreement, which were not disclosed, Novartis has obtained the rights to develop, manufacture and commercialize this compound for patients with chronic kidney disease or patients already on dialysis. The compound is currently in Phase I clinical development.

Patients with chronic kidney disease, as well as those already on dialysis, have reduced phosphate excretion, which leads to elevated serum phosphate levels (hyperphoshatemia). This condition may lead to increased calcium-phosphate deposits that cause arteriosclerosis, which in turn raises the risk for coronary heart disease and stroke as well as bone disease.

Currently available treatments for hyperphosphatemia do not reliably achieve treatment standards set by kidney specialists to help patients effectively manage their disease. As a result, a need remains for novel, more efficient, convenient and tolerable treatment options that lower phosphate without raising calcium levels in the serum to values that are accepted by physicians in order to improve patient well being and possibly survival.

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