A Phase 3 interventional study of Vadadustat and Darbepoetin alfa in Anemia and Non-Dialysis-Dependent Chronic Kidney Disease, sponsored by Akebia Therapeutics. Completed at 439 sites in 20 countries. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2022-06-27.
Sponsored by Akebia Therapeutics · Phase 3, Interventional, and Treatment
A multicenter, randomized, open-label, active-controlled Phase 3 study for the correction of anemia and maintenance of hemoglobin (Hb) in participants with Non-Dialysis-Dependent Chronic Kidney Disease (NDD-CKD)
This is a multicenter, randomized, open-label, active-controlled Phase 3 study of the efficacy and safety of vadadustat versus Darbepoetin alfa for the correction of anemia and maintenance of Hb in participants with NDD-CKD
1,768 studies on the registry are indexed under Anemia; 244 are open to participants now.
This study's enrollment of 1,751 is above the median of 96 across 1,318 interventional studies indexed under Anemia.
Browse Anemia studies →Akebia Therapeutics is the lead sponsor of 37 studies on the registry; 3 are open to participants now.
Of its 22 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 12 (55%) have results posted.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.
Exclusion Criteria:
Drug: Vadadustat
Drug: Darbepoetin alfa
Oral dose administered once daily for ≥36 weeks. Dose adjustment based on hemoglobin level as defined in the protocol.
Also known as: AKB-6548
Subcutaneous or intravenous dose administered for ≥36 weeks. Initial dose based on the current package insert for investigational sites in the United States (US), and the Summary of Product Characteristics for all other investigational sites (non-US) for adult participants with chronic kidney disease not on dialysis.
Also known as: Aranesp
Change From Baseline in Hemoglobin (Hb) to the Average Over the Primary Efficacy Period (Weeks 24 to 36)
The Baseline average was calculated as the average of the Hb values obtained at the screening visit closest to the date of randomization and the randomization visit. The average for the Primary Efficacy Period was calculated as the average Hb value over Weeks 24 to 36. Analysis was conducted using an analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) model with multiple imputation for missing data with Baseline Hb concentration (\<9.5 versus ≥9.5 grams per deciliter \[g/dL\]), geographic region (United States \[US\] versus European Union \[EU\] versus Rest of World \[ROW\]), and New York Heart Association congestive heart failure (NYHA CHF) class (Class 0 \[no CHF\] or I versus II or III) as covariates.
Time frame: Baseline; Weeks 24 to 36
Median Time to First Major Adverse Cardiovascular Event (MACE)
MACE was defined as all-cause mortality, non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI), or non-fatal stroke. The primary safety outcome was positively adjudicated first MACE, which was defined as any death, Endpoint Adjudication Committee (EAC)-confirmed non-fatal MI, or EAC-confirmed non-fatal stroke occurring between the first dose date and each participant's last participation date. PROTECT MACE results and analysis, by design, was performed on pooled data from studies AKB-6548-CI-0014 (NCT02648347) and AKB-6548-CI-0015 (NCT02680574). Results and statistical analysis from study AKB-6548-CI-0014 has been reported in below table and under section "Statistical Analysis 1". Results and statistical analysis of the pooled data from studies AKB-6548-CI-0014 and AKB-6548-CI-0015 has been reported under section "Statistical Analysis 2" of this outcome measure.
Time frame: Up to Week 208
Change From Baseline in Hb to the Average Over the Secondary Efficacy Period (Weeks 40 to 52)
The Baseline average was calculated as the average of the Hb values obtained at the screening visit closest to the date of randomization and the randomization visit. The average for the Secondary Efficacy Period was calculated as the average Hb value over Weeks 40 to 52. Analysis was conducted using an ANCOVA model with multiple imputation for missing data with Baseline Hb concentration (\<9.5 versus ≥9.5 g/dL), geographic region (US versus EU versus ROW), and NYHA CHF class (Class 0 \[no CHF\] or I versus II or III) as covariates.
Time frame: Baseline; Weeks 40 to 52
Median Time to First MACE Plus Hospitalization for Heart Failure or Thromboembolic Event Excluding Vascular Access Thrombosis
MACE was defined as all-cause mortality, non-fatal MI, or non-fatal stroke. Hospitalization for EAC adjudicated heart failure included presentation of participants to an acute care facility requiring an overnight hospitalization (change in calendar day) with an exacerbation of heart failure requiring treatment. EAC confirmed thromboembolic events for this secondary outcome measure included arterial thrombosis, deep vein thrombosis, and pulmonary embolism. PROTECT MACE results and analysis, by design, was performed on pooled data from studies AKB-6548-CI-0014 (NCT02648347) and AKB-6548-CI-0015 (NCT02680574). Results and statistical analysis from study AKB-6548-CI-0014 has been reported in below table and under section "Statistical Analysis 1". Results and statistical analysis of the pooled data from studies AKB-6548-CI-0014 and AKB-6548-CI-0015 has been reported under section "Statistical Analysis 2" of this outcome measure.
Time frame: Up to Week 208
Median Time to First Cardiovascular MACE
MACE was defined as all-cause mortality, non-fatal MI, or non-fatal stroke. Cardiovascular MACE analysis differed from the primary MACE endpoint as it included only deaths adjudicated by the EAC as cardiovascular deaths (i.e, only EAC-confirmed cardiovascular deaths) in addition to first events of non-fatal MI or non-fatal stroke. PROTECT MACE results and analysis, by design, was performed on pooled data from studies AKB-6548-CI-0014 (NCT02648347) and AKB-6548-CI-0015 (NCT02680574). Results and statistical analysis from study AKB-6548-CI-0014 has been reported in below table and under section "Statistical Analysis 1". Results and statistical analysis of the pooled data from studies AKB-6548-CI-0014 and AKB-6548-CI-0015 has been reported under section "Statistical Analysis 2" of this outcome measure.
Time frame: Up to Week 208
Median Time to First Cardiovascular Death
Cardiovascular death included EAC adjudicated fatal MI, pump failure, sudden death, presumed sudden death, fatal stroke, fatal pulmonary embolism, cardiovascular procedure-related death, other cardiovascular death, and presumed cardiovascular death. PROTECT MACE results and analysis, by design, was performed on pooled data from studies AKB-6548-CI-0014 (NCT02648347) and AKB-6548-CI-0015 (NCT02680574). Results and statistical analysis from study AKB-6548-CI-0014 has been reported in below table and under section "Statistical Analysis 1". Results and statistical analysis of the pooled data from studies AKB-6548-CI-0014 and AKB-6548-CI-0015 has been reported under section "Statistical Analysis 2" of this outcome measure.
Time frame: Up to Week 208
Median Time to First All-cause Mortality
Only events that were positively adjudicated and confirmed by the EAC were included in the MACE analyses. PROTECT MACE results and analysis, by design, was performed on pooled data from studies AKB-6548-CI-0014 (NCT02648347) and AKB-6548-CI-0015 (NCT02680574). Results and statistical analysis from study AKB-6548-CI-0014 has been reported in below table and under section "Statistical Analysis 1". Results and statistical analysis of the pooled data from studies AKB-6548-CI-0014 and AKB-6548-CI-0015 has been reported under section "Statistical Analysis 2" of this outcome measure.
Time frame: Up to Week 208
Exploratory - Proportion of Participants With Hb Values Within the Target Range During the Primary Evaluation Period (Weeks 24 to 36)
Time frame: Weeks 24 to 36
Exploratory - Proportion of Time With Hb Values Within the Target Range During the Primary Evaluation Period (Weeks 24 to 36)
Time frame: Weeks 24 to 36
Exploratory - Proportion of Time With Hb Values Within the Target Range During the Secondary Evaluation Period (Weeks 40 to 52)
Time frame: Weeks 40 to 52
Exploratory - Proportion of Participants With Hb Values Within the Target Range During the Secondary Evaluation Period (Weeks 40 to 52)
Time frame: Weeks 40 to 52
Exploratory - Proportion of Participants With an Hb Increase of >1.0 g/dL From Baseline Visit
Time frame: Baseline; up to Week 52
Exploratory - Time to Achieve Hb Increase of >1.0 g/dL From Baseline Visit
Time frame: Baseline; up to Week 52
Exploratory - Mean Change in Hb Between Baseline (Mean Pretreatment Hb) and the Primary Evaluation Period (Mean Hb From Weeks 24 to 36) Stratified by Pre-baseline Erythropoiesis-stimulating Agent (ESA) Exposure
Time frame: Baseline; Weeks 24 to 36
Exploratory - Mean Monthly Dose of Intravenous (IV) Elemental Iron Administered in Participants Who Have Received IV Iron
Time frame: Up to Week 52
Exploratory - Proportion of Participants Receiving IV Iron Therapy
Time frame: Up to Week 52
Exploratory - Proportion of Participants Receiving Red Blood Cells (RBCs) Transfusion(s)
Time frame: Up to Week 52
| Milestone | Vadadustat | Darbepoetin Alfa |
|---|---|---|
| Started | 879 | 872 |
| Completed | 670 | 675 |
| Not completed | 209 | 197 |
| Withdrew: Death | 174 | 167 |
| Withdrew: Withdrawal by subject | 16 | 9 |
| Withdrew: Lost to follow-up | 18 | 21 |
| Withdrew: Missing | 1 | 0 |
The Baseline average was calculated as the average of the Hb values obtained at the screening visit closest to the date of randomization and the randomization visit. The average for the Primary Efficacy Period was calculated as the average Hb value over Weeks 24 to 36. Analysis was conducted using an analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) model with multiple imputation for missing data with Baseline Hb concentration (\<9.5 versus ≥9.5 grams per deciliter \[g/dL\]), geographic region (United States \[US\] versus European Union \[EU\] versus Rest of World \[ROW\]), and New York Heart Association congestive heart failure (NYHA CHF) class (Class 0 \[no CHF\] or I versus II or III) as covariates.
| g/dL | Vadadustat | Darbepoetin Alfa |
|---|---|---|
| Change From Baseline in Hemoglobin (Hb) to the Average Over the Primary Efficacy Period (Weeks 24 to 36) | 1.43 ± 0.046 | 1.38 ± 0.047 |
MACE was defined as all-cause mortality, non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI), or non-fatal stroke. The primary safety outcome was positively adjudicated first MACE, which was defined as any death, Endpoint Adjudication Committee (EAC)-confirmed non-fatal MI, or EAC-confirmed non-fatal stroke occurring between the first dose date and each participant's last participation date. PROTECT MACE results and analysis, by design, was performed on pooled data from studies AKB-6548-CI-0014 (NCT02648347) and AKB-6548-CI-0015 (NCT02680574). Results and statistical analysis from study AKB-6548-CI-0014 has been reported in below table and under section "Statistical Analysis 1". Results and statistical analysis of the pooled data from studies AKB-6548-CI-0014 and AKB-6548-CI-0015 has been reported under section "Statistical Analysis 2" of this outcome measure.
| Weeks | Vadadustat | Darbepoetin Alfa |
|---|---|---|
| Median Time to First Major Adverse Cardiovascular Event (MACE) | 45.71 (21.71 to 83.14) | 46.71 (25.93 to 85.57) |
The Baseline average was calculated as the average of the Hb values obtained at the screening visit closest to the date of randomization and the randomization visit. The average for the Secondary Efficacy Period was calculated as the average Hb value over Weeks 40 to 52. Analysis was conducted using an ANCOVA model with multiple imputation for missing data with Baseline Hb concentration (\<9.5 versus ≥9.5 g/dL), geographic region (US versus EU versus ROW), and NYHA CHF class (Class 0 \[no CHF\] or I versus II or III) as covariates.
| g/dL | Vadadustat | Darbepoetin Alfa |
|---|---|---|
| Change From Baseline in Hb to the Average Over the Secondary Efficacy Period (Weeks 40 to 52) | 1.52 ± 0.052 | 1.48 ± 0.053 |
MACE was defined as all-cause mortality, non-fatal MI, or non-fatal stroke. Hospitalization for EAC adjudicated heart failure included presentation of participants to an acute care facility requiring an overnight hospitalization (change in calendar day) with an exacerbation of heart failure requiring treatment. EAC confirmed thromboembolic events for this secondary outcome measure included arterial thrombosis, deep vein thrombosis, and pulmonary embolism. PROTECT MACE results and analysis, by design, was performed on pooled data from studies AKB-6548-CI-0014 (NCT02648347) and AKB-6548-CI-0015 (NCT02680574). Results and statistical analysis from study AKB-6548-CI-0014 has been reported in below table and under section "Statistical Analysis 1". Results and statistical analysis of the pooled data from studies AKB-6548-CI-0014 and AKB-6548-CI-0015 has been reported under section "Statistical Analysis 2" of this outcome measure.
| Weeks | Vadadustat | Darbepoetin Alfa |
|---|---|---|
| Median Time to First MACE Plus Hospitalization for Heart Failure or Thromboembolic Event Excluding Vascular Access Thrombosis | 37.64 (17.14 to 74.14) | 41.43 (21.71 to 75.14) |
MACE was defined as all-cause mortality, non-fatal MI, or non-fatal stroke. Cardiovascular MACE analysis differed from the primary MACE endpoint as it included only deaths adjudicated by the EAC as cardiovascular deaths (i.e, only EAC-confirmed cardiovascular deaths) in addition to first events of non-fatal MI or non-fatal stroke. PROTECT MACE results and analysis, by design, was performed on pooled data from studies AKB-6548-CI-0014 (NCT02648347) and AKB-6548-CI-0015 (NCT02680574). Results and statistical analysis from study AKB-6548-CI-0014 has been reported in below table and under section "Statistical Analysis 1". Results and statistical analysis of the pooled data from studies AKB-6548-CI-0014 and AKB-6548-CI-0015 has been reported under section "Statistical Analysis 2" of this outcome measure.
| Weeks | Vadadustat | Darbepoetin Alfa |
|---|---|---|
| Median Time to First Cardiovascular MACE | 45.86 (22.29 to 78.86) | 41.86 (20.29 to 90.00) |
Cardiovascular death included EAC adjudicated fatal MI, pump failure, sudden death, presumed sudden death, fatal stroke, fatal pulmonary embolism, cardiovascular procedure-related death, other cardiovascular death, and presumed cardiovascular death. PROTECT MACE results and analysis, by design, was performed on pooled data from studies AKB-6548-CI-0014 (NCT02648347) and AKB-6548-CI-0015 (NCT02680574). Results and statistical analysis from study AKB-6548-CI-0014 has been reported in below table and under section "Statistical Analysis 1". Results and statistical analysis of the pooled data from studies AKB-6548-CI-0014 and AKB-6548-CI-0015 has been reported under section "Statistical Analysis 2" of this outcome measure.
| Weeks | Vadadustat | Darbepoetin Alfa |
|---|---|---|
| Median Time to First Cardiovascular Death | 48.29 (28.86 to 83.14) | 41.86 (16.00 to 92.29) |
Only events that were positively adjudicated and confirmed by the EAC were included in the MACE analyses. PROTECT MACE results and analysis, by design, was performed on pooled data from studies AKB-6548-CI-0014 (NCT02648347) and AKB-6548-CI-0015 (NCT02680574). Results and statistical analysis from study AKB-6548-CI-0014 has been reported in below table and under section "Statistical Analysis 1". Results and statistical analysis of the pooled data from studies AKB-6548-CI-0014 and AKB-6548-CI-0015 has been reported under section "Statistical Analysis 2" of this outcome measure.
| Weeks | Vadadustat | Darbepoetin Alfa |
|---|---|---|
| Median Time to First All-cause Mortality | 46.57 (22.29 to 84.36) | 47.79 (27.36 to 88.79) |
Results for this outcome have not been posted.
Results for this outcome have not been posted.
Results for this outcome have not been posted.
Results for this outcome have not been posted.
Results for this outcome have not been posted.
Results for this outcome have not been posted.
Results for this outcome have not been posted.
Results for this outcome have not been posted.
Results for this outcome have not been posted.
Results for this outcome have not been posted.
Collected over Up to 208 weeks. Non-serious events are listed at a 5% frequency threshold.
| Group | Deaths | Serious | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vadadustat | 180/878 (20.5%) | 573/878 (65.3%) | 561/878 (63.9%) |
| Darbepoetin Alfa | 168/870 (19.3%) | 561/870 (64.5%) | 565/870 (64.9%) |
| Event | Vadadustat | Darbepoetin Alfa |
|---|---|---|
| End stage renal diseaseRenal and urinary disorders | 292/878 | 292/870 |
| PneumoniaInfections and infestations | 60/878 | 49/870 |
| Acute kidney injuryRenal and urinary disorders | 42/878 | 40/870 |
| Cardiac failure congestiveCardiac disorders | 40/878 | 39/870 |
| Fluid overloadMetabolism and nutrition disorders | 34/878 | 22/870 |
| Acute myocardial infarctionCardiac disorders | 32/878 | 27/870 |
| SepsisInfections and infestations | 28/878 | 19/870 |
| HyperkalaemiaMetabolism and nutrition disorders | 20/878 | 26/870 |
| Cardiac failure acuteCardiac disorders | 21/878 | 24/870 |
| AnaemiaBlood and lymphatic system disorders | 18/878 | 24/870 |
| Event | Vadadustat | Darbepoetin Alfa |
|---|---|---|
| HypertensionVascular disorders | 151/878 | 186/870 |
| HyperkalaemiaMetabolism and nutrition disorders | 93/878 | 121/870 |
| DiarrhoeaGastrointestinal disorders | 114/878 | 85/870 |
| Oedema peripheralGeneral disorders | 110/878 | 89/870 |
| Urinary tract infectionInfections and infestations | 98/878 | 94/870 |
| NauseaGastrointestinal disorders | 87/878 | 71/870 |
| FallInjury, poisoning and procedural complications | 74/878 | 80/870 |
| ConstipationGastrointestinal disorders | 74/878 | 72/870 |
| Upper respiratory tract infectionInfections and infestations | 50/878 | 70/870 |
| HyperphosphataemiaMetabolism and nutrition disorders | 64/878 | 63/870 |
| Age, Continuous(Years) | Vadadustat | Darbepoetin Alfa | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean | 65.2 ± 14.27 | 64.9 ± 13.71 | 65.0 ± 13.99 |
| Sex: Female, Male(Participants) | Vadadustat | Darbepoetin Alfa | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Female | 475 | 506 | 981 |
| Male | 404 | 366 | 770 |
| Race/Ethnicity, Customized(Participants) | Vadadustat | Darbepoetin Alfa | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Indian or Alaska Native | 22 | 23 | 45 |
| Asian | 48 | 37 | 85 |
| Black or African American | 188 | 172 | 360 |
| Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander | 6 | 6 | 12 |
| White | 546 | 571 | 1117 |
| Not Reported | 5 | 6 | 11 |
| Reported as Other | 58 | 48 | 106 |
| Multiple | 6 | 9 | 15 |
| Mean hemoglobin(Grams per deciliter (g/dL)) | Vadadustat | Darbepoetin Alfa | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean | 9.113 ± 0.8015 | 9.142 ± 0.7790 | 9.128 ± 0.7903 |
| Mean estimated glomerular filtration rate(mL/min/1.73m^2) | Vadadustat | Darbepoetin Alfa | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean | 21.2 ± 11.99 | 21.9 ± 12.60 | 21.5 ± 12.30 |
| Number of Participants with History of Diabetes(Participants) | Vadadustat | Darbepoetin Alfa | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Count of participants | 507 | 514 | 1021 |
| Number of Participants with NYHA Functional Classification of Heart Failure(Participants) | Vadadustat | Darbepoetin Alfa | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| NYHA Class 0 | 613 | 601 | 1214 |
| NYHA Class I | 136 | 123 | 259 |
| NYHA Class II | 100 | 119 | 219 |
| NYHA Class III | 24 | 25 | 49 |
| NYHA Class IV | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| NYHA Class Missing | 4 | 3 | 7 |
| Number of Participants with Any History of Heart Failure(Participants) | Vadadustat | Darbepoetin Alfa | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | 36 | 38 | 74 |
| No | 624 | 609 | 1233 |
| Missing | 219 | 225 | 444 |
Showing the first 100 of 439 sites across 20 countries.
Documents are hosted by the registry — open the source record to download them.
Plan to share: No
Ran from Dec 2015 to primary completion in Jun 2020, 54 months.
Results were first posted in Jun 2022, 2 years after primary completion. A results delay was requested in Jun 2021.
Of 109 industry-sponsored phase 3 interventional studies under Anemia, half reached primary completion within 22 months of starting (the median), counting those still running; a quarter within 14 and three quarters within 44. This study's 54 months is above that.
Counting every sponsor, half of 167 studies reached it within 24 months; a quarter within 15 and three quarters within 49.
How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.
This study is completed, as verified in Jun 2022. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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Studies of the drug tested here: Vadadustat