Vifor Pharma's IV Ferinject reduces the need for further anemia treatment in kidney disease patients

Switzerland-based Vifor Pharma, part of the Galenica group (SIX: GALN), has announced results which show that Ferinject (ferric carboxymaltose) reduces the need for alternative anemia treatment in patients with non-dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease (ND-CKD).

The FIND-CKD study was designed to investigate the optimal route of administration and dosing strategy for iron therapy in patients ND-CKD with iron deficiency anemia (IDA). The study met its primary endpoint, showing that intravenous (IV) iron Ferinject, when compared to oral iron treatment, reduces the need for other anaemia management. More than 600 patients from 20 countries were included in the 56-week clinical trial.

Vifor said that Ferinject, given at a starting dose of 1,000mg, significantly prolongs the time until other anaemia management is needed in ND-CKD patients with IDA. A statement from the company said the study results “could represent a significant advance in the understanding of how to best treat ND-CKD patients with IDA.”