After high-profile US rejection for roxadustat, Astellas touts its safety in new pooled analysis

While anemia med roxadustat’s U.S. fate remains in limbo, FibroGen partner Astellas is trumpeting data that could help clear the air around its disputed safety profile.

In a pooled analysis of four phase 3 studies, roxadustat proved at least as safe as standard of care erythropoietin therapies when it came to patients’ risk of cardiovascular side effects or death, Astellas said Thursday at the 59th Congress of the European Renal Association (ERA).