3SBio Inc. (Nasdaq:
SSRX) ("3SBio" or "the Company"), a leading China-based biotechnology company
focused on researching, developing, manufacturing and marketing
biopharmaceutical products, today announced a collaboration and license
agreement with Panacor Bioscience Ltd. to develop and commercialize its
Nephoxil(R) pharmaceutical product for the treatment of hyperphosphatemia in
China.
Nephoxil (ferric citrate) is a differentiated, iron-based phosphate binder
for the treatment of hyperphosphatemia (elevated phosphate levels) in patients
with end stage renal disease (ESRD). Nephoxil is free of aluminum, lanthanum
and calcium, and is not polymer-based. Due to the deterioration of kidney
function, ESRD patients are unable to excrete phosphorus effectively even
through frequent dialysis, and almost all patients require daily phosphate
binder intake to control body phosphate levels. If not treated,
hyperphosphatemia could lead to serious or fatal complications such as bone
deformation (renal osteodystrophy), coronary calcification, heart disease,
stroke and cardiovascular diseases which account for about half of the causes
of death in the ESRD population. China represents a large and rapidly growing
market with approximately 12 million Stage 3 and 4 chronic kidney disease (CKD)
patients, and over 91,000 dialysis patients.
Nephoxil has completed Phase II clinical development programs, including a
dose-ranging study, a high dose safety and tolerability study and an
open-label extension study, with compelling clinical data. Nephoxil is
developed globally and is entering Phase III clinical development in the
United States, Japan and Taiwan.