Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. and Akebia Therapeutics, Inc. have entered into a new, additional agreement that expands their existing relationship for development and marketing of vadadustat, under development as an oral treatment for anemia associated with chronic kidney disease (renal anemia).

The two companies previously concluded a co-development and co-marketing agreement in December 2016 that covers the U.S.

The new, additional agreement covers European markets, where Otsuka and Akebia will jointly develop vadadustat and Otsuka will market it, and other markets including China, Canada, Australia, etc.* (but excluding Latin America), where Otsuka will develop and market it. (Marketing vadadustat is contingent on receiving regulatory approvals.)

• In 2015 Akebia entered into a licensing agreement with Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharmaceutical covering Japan and specific other Asian countries (Taiwan, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, etc.)