WIXOM, Mich., Oct. 9, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rockwell Medical, Inc. (Nasdaq:RMTI), a fully integrated biopharmaceutical company targeting end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) with innovative products and services for the treatment of iron replacement, secondary hyperparathyroidism and hemodialysis, today announced that the Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee (ODAC) of the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) is scheduled to review the Company's New Drug Application (NDA) for Triferic on November 6, 2014 in an afternoon session. Triferic is Rockwell's investigational drug for the treatment of iron replacement and maintenance of hemoglobin in hemodialysis patients. Triferic is under review by the Office of Hematology and Oncology Products (OHOP) Division of Hematology products. The proposed indication for Triferic is for the treatment of iron loss or iron deficiency to maintain hemoglobin in patients with hemodialysis dependent chronic kidney disease and to reduce the prescribed dose of erythropoiesis stimulating agents (ESAs) required to maintain desired hemoglobin levels. The FDA accepted the Triferic NDA for review on May 28, 2014. The PDUFA date for the FDA to complete its review of the Triferic NDA is January 24, 2015.
"We are pleased to discuss the potential efficacy benefit and safety profile of Triferic with the Advisory Committee, and we will continue to work closely with the FDA during the review of the NDA," said Mr. Robert L. Chioini, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Rockwell. "Triferic has a novel mechanism of action and mode of administration which addresses the unmet need of maintenance iron therapy for the hemodialysis population."
About Triferic
Triferic is a unique iron compound that is delivered to the hemodialysis patient via dialysate, replacing the 5-7 mg of iron that is lost during every dialysis treatment. Triferic is introduced into the sodium bicarbonate concentrate on-site at the dialysis clinic, which is subsequently mixed into dialysate. Once in the dialysate, Triferic crosses the dialyzer membrane and enters the blood where it immediately binds to apo-transferrin and is taken to the bone marrow, similar to how dietary iron is processed in the human body. In completed clinical trials to date, Triferic has demonstrated that it may safely and effectively deliver sufficient iron to the bone marrow, maintain hemoglobin and not increase iron stores (ferritin), while significantly reducing ESA dose.
About Rockwell Medical
Rockwell Medical is a fully-integrated biopharmaceutical company targeting end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) with innovative products and services for the treatment of iron replacement, secondary hyperparathyroidism and hemodialysis.
Rockwell's lead investigational drug Triferic is currently under NDA review by the FDA for the treatment of iron replacement/maintenance in dialysis patients. Triferic delivers iron to the bone marrow of dialysis patients in a non-invasive, physiologic manner during their regular dialysis treatment, using dialysate as the delivery mechanism. In completed clinical trials to date, Triferic has demonstrated that it may safely and effectively deliver sufficient iron to the bone marrow, maintain hemoglobin and not increase iron stores (ferritin), while significantly reducing ESA dose. Triferic has successfully completed the efficacy trials of its Phase 3 clinical study program (CRUISE-1 and CRUISE-2).
Rockwell is preparing to launch its FDA approved generic drug Calcitriol, to treat secondary hyperparathyroidism in dialysis patients. Calcitriol (active vitamin D) injection is indicated in the management of hypocalcemia in patients undergoing chronic renal dialysis. It has been shown to significantly reduce elevated parathyroid hormone levels. Reduction of PTH has been shown to result in an improvement in renal osteodystrophy. Rockwell intends to market Calcitriol to hemodialysis patients in in the U.S. dialysis market.
Rockwell is also an established manufacturer and leader in delivering high-quality hemodialysis concentrates/dialysates to dialysis providers and distributors in the U.S. and abroad. As one of the two major suppliers in the U.S., Rockwell's products are used to maintain human life by removing toxins and replacing critical nutrients in the dialysis patient's bloodstream. Rockwell has three manufacturing/distribution facilities located in the U.S. and its operating infrastructure is a ready-made sales and distribution channel that is able to provide seamless integration into the commercial market for its drug product Calcitriol, and Triferic upon FDA market approval.
Rockwell's exclusive renal drug therapies support disease management initiatives to improve the quality of life and care of dialysis patients and are intended to deliver safe and effective therapy, while decreasing drug administration costs and improving patient convenience. Rockwell Medical is developing a pipeline of drug therapies, including extensions of Triferic for indications outside of hemodialysis. Please visit www.rockwellmed.com for more information. For a demonstration of the Triferic unique mechanism of action in delivering iron via dialysate, please view the animation video at http://www.rockwellmed.com/collateral/documents/english-us/mode-of-action.html.
Certain statements in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including, but not limited to, Rockwell's intention to launch Calcitriol and Triferic following FDA approval. Words such as "may," "might," "will," "should," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "continue," "predict," "forecast," "project," "plan", "intend" or similar expressions, or statements regarding intent, belief, or current expectations, are forward-looking statements. While Rockwell Medical believes these forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on any such forward-looking statements, which are based on information available to us on the date of this release. These forward looking statements are based upon current estimates and assumptions and are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including without limitation those set forth in Rockwell Medical's SEC filings. Thus, actual results could be materially different. Rockwell Medical expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
Triferic™ is a trademark of Rockwell Medical, Inc. / CitraPure® is a registered trademark of Rockwell Medical, Inc.