P1868
TO INVESTIGATE THE EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF MOLIDUSTAT IN NON-DIALYSIS PATIENTS WITH RENAL ANEMIA WHO ARE TREATED WITH ERYTHROPOIESIS-STIMULATING AGENTS: MIYABI ND-M

Treatment with subcutaneous erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) is the standard of care for renal anemia in non-dialysis patients. A hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl-hydroxylase (HF-PH) inhibitor is an oral medication and might be a new treatment option of renal anemia. Molidustat mimics the physiological response to hypoxia, thereby stimulating endogenous EPO production by the kidneys. The phase III program entitled MolIdustat once dailY improves renal Anemia By Inducing EPO (MIYABI) was conducted in Japan.

MIYABI Non-Dialysis- Maintenance (ND-M) of Hb study (up to 52 weeks, randomized, darbepoetin-controlled, open-label) was conducted to investigate the efficacy and safety of molidustat (MO) in non-dialysis patients with renal anemia who are treated with ESAs. A starting dose was in accordance with previous ESA dose and study drug doses were titrated regularly with the aim of maintaining the patients’ Hb values between the target range (11.0-13.0 g/dL). The primary efficacy variables were the mean Hb values during the evaluation period (30-36 weeks) and its change from baseline to demonstrate the non-inferiority of MO to darbepoetin alfa (DA) using a non-inferiority margin of 1.0 g/dL. Safety variables included adverse events. Prespecified primary analysis results up to 36 weeks are presented here.

82 patients were treated with MO, starting doses were 25 mg for 27 patients and 50 mg in 55 patients. 82 patients were treated with DA, starting doses were in accordance with previous ESA dose and interval. The mean of baseline Hb values were 11.31 g/dL and 11.27 g/dL in the MO and DA group, respectively. For the mean Hb values during the evaluation period in MO, the mean was 11.67 g/dL (95%CI; 11.48, 11.85) and the mean Hb values of 66 patients (80.5%) were within the target range. As the primary efficacy variables (the changes from baseline of mean Hb values during the evaluation period), the means were 0.35 g/dL (95%CI; 0.12, 0.58) and 0.26 g/dL (95%CI; 0.04, 0.48) in the MO and DA group, respectively. The LS mean difference was 0.13 (95%CI; -0.15, 0.40), therefore the non-inferiority of MO to DA was established. The mean (SD) doses during the study period were 52.16 (32.58) mg/day of MO and 21.33 (12.33) μg/week of DA. AEs were experienced in 87.8% of patients in the MO group and 89.0% of patients in the DA group up to 36 weeks. The most common AEs occurred ≥ 5% of patients in any group were nasopharyngitis (29.3% and 30.5%, respectively) and worsening of chronic kidney disease (12.2% and 7.3%, respectively).

Maintenance effect of MO on the Hb values was investigated and the non-inferiority of MO to DA was established in non-dialysis patients with anemia treated with ESAs. The MO showed no new safety concern but further longitudinal investigation will be needed.