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First-in-class anemia drug takes aim at Amgen's dominion

Nature Biotechnology volume 31, pages 948–949 (2013)Cite this article

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All currently available EPO-stimulating agents (ESAs) flood the body with synthetic forms of EPO at levels 100- to 100,000-fold greater than normal physiologic levels of the naturally occurring molecule, said FibroGen CEO Thomas Neff. These supraphysiologic doses have been linked to increased risk of severe adverse events such as death, stroke, myocardial infarction and hospitalization for congestive heart failure, although the molecular cause is unknown. ESAs also increase the risk of seizures and high blood pressure, and some patients experience hypersensitivity reactions; such reactions led to the market withdrawal of Omontys (peginesatide) from Affymax of Palo Alto, California, and its partner Takeda of Osaka in February (Nat. Biotechnol. 31, 270, 2013).

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  1. Ithaca, New York

    Aaron Bouchie

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  1. Aaron Bouchie
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Bouchie, A. First-in-class anemia drug takes aim at Amgen's dominion. Nat Biotechnol 31, 948–949 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/nbt1113-948b

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