• Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is the fifth leading cause of death in Egypt; burden of CKD increased by 36% from 2009 – 2019.2
  • Anaemia, a common complication of CKD, is associated with an increased risk of hospitalisation, cardiovascular complications and worsening kidney function, if untreated.10
  • In contrast to the current, injectable standard of care, this new treatment takes a holistic, simplified approach to the multifactorial causes of anaemia of chronic kidney disease (CKD) allowing patients to treat their condition anywhere1,3
press_conference_main_image1

Seated from left to right: Nilay Tarr, General Manager for Astellas Egypt, Dr. May Hasaballah, Professor of Internal Medicine and Nephrology at Cairo University and President of the Egypt Society of Nephrology and Transplantation (ESNT), Dr. Mohamed Salah, Dean of the National Institute of Urology and Nephrology and Secretary General of (ESNT), Dr. Gamal Elsaady, Emeritus Professor of Internal Medicine and Nephrology, Cairo University, Kasr AlAini School of Medicine, Dr. Mohamed Hany Hafez, ESNT Past President, Emeritus Professor of Medicine and Nephrology, Cairo University, Kasr Al Aini School of Medicine, and Dr. Tarek El-Baz, Emeritus Professor of Internal Medicine and Nephrology, Al Azhar University Cairo, Egypt 

 

Cairo, Egypt, 23 February, 2023 – During a press conference today, Astellas Pharma Inc. introduced a new treatment for adults with anaemia associated with CKD,1 a debilitating condition which causes some to experience severe symptoms and struggle with day-to-day activities.4-6

CKD is a progressive disease characterised by gradual loss of kidney function that may eventually lead to kidney failure or end-stage kidney disease, requiring dialysis or kidney transplant.7 In 2019, the burden of CKD had increased by 36% in Egypt since 2009, with CKD ranking fifth among the leading causes of death in the country.2

Anaemia is a common complication of CKD that can be observed early in the development of the condition,8 defined by low levels of haemoglobin, a protein found in red blood cells that carries oxygen around the body.8 Anaemia of CKD has a multifactorial impact on the body which leads to a progressively negative impact on a patient’s quality of life, often providing challenges with mobility, self-care and day-to-day activities for people living with the condition.6 Additionally, untreated anaemia of CKD is associated with an increased risk of hospitalisation, cardiovascular complications and worsening kidney function.10

Speaking at a press conference to introduce this new treatment, Nilay Tarr, General Manager of Astellas Egypt, said: “CKD continues to be a major public health concern in Egypt, due to its rapidly increasing incidence, and there is a significant unmet medical need when it comes to treatment options for patients with anaemia of CKD.”

She added: “Not only has this treatment for adults shown to be effective in increasing and maintaining target haemoglobin levels, its novel mechanism of action and oral administration offers meaningful benefits and outcomes for patients. At Astellas, we are dedicated to uncovering unmet medical needs and driving medical solutions in nephrology, that deliver value and relief to patients, their families and carers in Egypt.”

Taken orally, Astella’s new treatment activates the body’s natural response to reduced oxygen levels in the blood. The response involves the regulation of multiple, coordinated processes that improve iron absorption and mobilisation, and increase red cell production, and can therefore assist in the management of anaemia of CKD.11

“Anaemia of CKD is associated with increased progression of CKD and raises the risk of cardiovascular events and mortality, yet it remains underdiagnosed and undertreated. Furthermore, currently available treatment options remain limited and often result in a conservative approach to treating the condition,” said Dr. May Hasaballah, Professor of Internal Medicine and Nephrology at Cairo University and President of the Egypt Society of Nephrology and Transplantation, “Data from clinical trials indicates that this new treatment could offer patients with anaemia of CKD in Egypt and their treating physicians with a new oral treatment option that tackles the multicausality of the disease.”

“Living with anaemia of CKD is a daily struggle. The condition is debilitating to patients and makes even the easiest tasks a challenge. This new treatment offers a completely different and cost effective approach to the management of anaemia in CKD to the current standard of care, based on Nobel Prize-winning research. More importantly, it brings hope for better outcomes and improved quality of life for patients who have been battling this condition,” said Dr. Mohamed Salah, Dean of the National Institute of Urology and Nephrology and Secretary General of the Egypt Society of Nephrology and Transplantation.

 

About anaemia of CKD

CKD is a progressive disease characterised by gradual loss of kidney function that may eventually lead to kidney failure or end stage renal disease, requiring dialysis or kidney transplant.6 Many patients with CKD die of cardiovascular complications before progressing to kidney failure and as such the prevalence of early kidney disease is much greater than end stage disease.7,12

Anaemia, a serious medical condition, in which patients have insufficient red blood cells and low levels of haemoglobin, is a common early complication of CKD affecting approximately 20% of CKD patients.13,14 Anaemia of CKD is associated with an increased risk of hospitalisation, cardiovascular complications and death, and can also cause significant fatigue, cognitive dysfunction and reduced quality of life.6,10 Blood transfusions are used for treating severe anaemia, however, they may reduce a patient’s opportunity for kidney transplant and can increase the risk of infection and/or complications such as heart failure and allergic reactions.15,16

 

About Astellas

Astellas Pharma Inc. is a pharmaceutical company conducting business in more than 70 countries around the world. We are promoting the Focus Area Approach that is designed to identify opportunities for the continuous creation of new drugs to address diseases with high unmet medical needs by focusing on Biology and Modality. Furthermore, we are also looking beyond our foundational Rx focus to create Rx+® healthcare solutions that combine our expertise and knowledge with cutting-edge technology in different fields of external partners. Through these efforts, Astellas stands on the forefront of healthcare change to turn innovative science into value for patients. For more information, please visit our website at https://www.astellas.com/en.

 

 

REFERENCES

  1. Product Information Leaflet approved by Egypt Drug Authority, dated: 19/12/2022. Market Authorisation Holder: Astellas Pharma Europe B.V.
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  3. Brooks et al. Anaemia of Chronic Kidney Disease. The Renal Association Clinical Practice Guideline 2017
  4. Astellas. Data on File. 2022
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  15. NIDDK. Anemia in Chronic Kidney Disease: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease; [Accessed August 2021]. Available from: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/kidney-disease/anemia.
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