Zydus Cadila completes phase III trials of Desidustat; stock trades flat

Zydus Cadila, a global leading pharmaceutical company, today announced that it has completed patient enrolment in DREAM-ND and DREAM-D Phase III trials of Desidustat.   

Desidustat is an oral small molecule hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase (HIF-PH) inhibitor, which is used as a treatment for anaemia in patients affected with chronic kidney disease (CKD).  

The DREAM-ND Phase III trial enrolled 588 CKD patients, which were not on dialysis, while the DREAM-D enrolled 392 CKD patients on dialysis.   

Desidustat has the potential to bring about a paradigm shift in the management of CKD patients with anaemia. It could provide an oral, safer alternative to currently available injectable erythropoietin-stimulating agents (ESAs), by additionally reducing hepcidin, reducing triglycerides, reducing inflammation, and better iron mobilisation.  

The drug has previously met its primary endpoints in Phase II clinical trials. The Phase 1 trials were completed in Australia while the Phase II trials were concluded in Mexico.   

The share price of the company was trading flat on Friday. At 11.15 am, the share price was 0.42 per cent down from Thursday’s closing price and was trading at a price of Rs 477.20.