Akebia Therapeutics reported third-quarter 2026 results alongside an update on its commercial and clinical programs. Vafseo, its treatment for anemia in dialysis patients, had a larger patient base, but quarterly product revenue was affected by customer inventory reductions and market conditions as a supplemental payment period for the drug approaches its end.
The update also included positive results from two vadadustat studies and progress in Akebia’s kidney-disease pipeline.
Key details
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Vafseo use increased: About 11,500 patients were taking Vafseo at the end of the third quarter, roughly 140% more than a year earlier. Akebia said its commercial priority is to keep increasing the number of patients on therapy.
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Revenue was $14.8 million: Third-quarter Vafseo net product revenue was affected by customer inventory reductions and market dynamics as the drug’s TDAPA period approaches expiration.
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VOICE study reported improved safety outcomes: U.S. Renal Care presented results showing statistically significant evidence of improved safety outcomes for dialysis patients treated with vadadustat compared with an erythropoiesis-stimulating agent, or ESA. The study used vadadustat three times weekly, an investigational regimen that Akebia said most dialysis providers have chosen to adopt.
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VOCAL met its primary endpoint: Topline results showed vadadustat was non-inferior to an ESA in maintaining hemoglobin levels.
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Ebribafusp alfa entered a Phase 2 trial: The first patient has been dosed in an open-label basket study assessing the drug across multiple rare kidney diseases. Akebia expects initial data in 2027.
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Cash stood at $159.3 million: The company described its financial position as strong, with that amount in cash and cash equivalents at quarter-end.
Plain-English implications
The patient count rose substantially year over year, while Vafseo revenue remained subject to customer inventory changes and market conditions ahead of the approaching end of its supplemental payment period. The reported study results add clinical evidence on vadadustat’s safety and ability to maintain hemoglobin; the update also marks the start of a mid-stage trial for ebribafusp alfa.