OPKO Health, Inc. (NYSE:OPK) announced that it has completed the acquisition of Cytochroma Inc. (Markham, Canada). Cytochroma's lead products include CTAP101 Capsules, a vitamin D prohormone to treat secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) in patients with stage 3 or 4 chronic kidney disease (CKD) and vitamin D insufficiency, and Fermagate Tablets, a new and potent non-absorbed phosphate binder to treat hyperphosphatemia in CKD patients on chronic hemodialysis.
CTAP101 Capsules have been shown in a phase 2b clinical trial to effectively and safely treat SHPT and the underlying vitamin D insufficiency in pre-dialysis patients. Vitamin D insufficiency arises in CKD due to the abnormal upregulation of CYP24, an enzyme which destroys vitamin D and its metabolites. Studies in CKD patients have demonstrated that currently available over-the-counter and prescription vitamin D products cannot reliably raise blood vitamin D prohormone levels and effectively treat SHPT. CTAP101 Capsules are in phase 3 clinical trials in the United States (US).
The new phosphate binder, Fermagate Tablets, has been shown to be safe and effective in treating hyperphosphatemia in phase 2 and 3 trials in CKD patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis. Hyperphosphatemia contributes to soft tissue mineralization and affects approximately 90% of dialysis patients. Dialysis patients require ongoing phosphate binder treatment to maintain normal serum phosphorus levels. Opko is working with US and European regulatory authorities to finalize the remaining Phase 3 clinical program for Fermagate Tablets.
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