Welcome to our dedicated page for Akebia Therapeut news (Ticker: AKBA), a resource for investors and traders seeking the latest updates and insights on Akebia Therapeut stock.
Akebia Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: AKBA) is a biopharmaceutical company focused on therapies for people impacted by kidney disease, and its news flow reflects this specialization. Company announcements frequently highlight progress with Vafseo (vadadustat), a once-daily oral hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor approved for the treatment of anemia due to chronic kidney disease (CKD) in adults on dialysis for at least three months. Updates include prescribing access among dialysis organizations, clinical trial data such as post-hoc analyses from the INNO2VATE trials, and real-world studies like VOICE and VOCAL that examine mortality, hospitalization, and dosing strategies.
News releases also cover Akebia’s rare kidney disease pipeline, including praliciguat and AKB-097. Investors can follow milestones such as the first patient dosed in a Phase 2 trial of praliciguat for biopsy-confirmed focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), plans to evaluate praliciguat in other rare podocytopathies, and the planned Phase 2 basket study of AKB-097 across complement-mediated rare kidney diseases, including IgA nephropathy, lupus nephritis, and C3 glomerulopathy. Additional pipeline updates may involve AKB-9090, a HIF-PH inhibitor entering Phase 1 for acute kidney injury associated with cardiac surgery.
Akebia’s news stream also includes financial results, stock option inducement grants under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4), licensing and supply agreements such as amendments to its Vafseo license with Medice in Europe and certain other countries, and participation in healthcare and investor conferences. For investors tracking AKBA, this news page provides a centralized view of clinical, regulatory, commercial, and corporate developments that shape the company’s kidney disease franchise and pipeline trajectory.
Akebia Therapeutics (Nasdaq: AKBA) announced on August 4, 2020, the granting of stock options to four new employees totaling 23,500 shares. The options were granted on July 31, 2020, as part of the company’s Inducement Award Program, complying with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4). Each option has an exercise price of $11.17 per share, matching the stock's closing price on the grant date. Vesting occurs over four years, with 25% vesting after one year and the remaining shares vesting quarterly, subject to continued employment.
Akebia Therapeutics (Nasdaq: AKBA) announced it will report its second quarter financial results on August 10, 2020. The company will not hold a traditional business update call but plans a conference call in September to share top-line results from its PRO2TECT Phase 3 cardiovascular outcomes studies. These studies involved 3,513 patients and investigated the efficacy of vadadustat for treating anemia due to chronic kidney disease (CKD). The PRO2TECT database has been locked, marking a key milestone in the development of vadadustat.
Akebia Therapeutics (Nasdaq: AKBA) announced a new investigator-sponsored study to evaluate vadadustat as a potential therapy for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in COVID-19 patients. Conducted by UTHealth in Houston, the randomized, placebo-controlled trial aims to enroll up to 300 patients hospitalized for hypoxemia due to COVID-19. The dosing will start within 24 hours of admission and continue for up to 14 days. Vadadustat is also in Phase 3 trials for treating anemia due to chronic kidney disease and is currently approved for that use in Japan.
Akebia Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: AKBA) announced on July 2, 2020, the grant of stock options to six newly-hired employees totaling 320,000 shares, including 280,000 shares for David Spellman, the new CFO. These options were granted as inducements for employment and comply with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4). The options have an exercise price of $13.58 per share, reflecting the stock's closing price on the grant date, and will vest over four years.
Akebia Therapeutics has received regulatory approval for vadadustat, an oral therapy for anemia due to chronic kidney disease (CKD), from Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. This milestone allows Akebia's partner, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation (MTPC), to market vadadustat under the name VAFSEO in Japan. The approval follows a successful application filed in July 2019 and enables a $15 million milestone payment to Akebia. Akebia could further earn up to $190 million in additional payments and royalty rates up to 20% on sales in Japan and other Asian countries.
Akebia Therapeutics (Nasdaq: AKBA) has appointed David A. Spellman as the new Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer, effective June 29, 2020. Spellman brings over 20 years of financial experience from companies like Intarcia and Vertex Pharmaceuticals. His role will be crucial as Akebia advances vadadustat, an investigational therapy in Phase 3 for treating anemia due to chronic kidney disease (CKD). Former CFO Jason A. Amello transitions out after 7 years to pursue other interests, ensuring a smooth handover during the transition.