CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Jan. 9, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- Akebia Therapeutics®, Inc. (Nasdaq:
AKBA), a biopharmaceutical company with the purpose to better the
lives of people impacted by kidney disease, today announced the
appointment of Nicholas Grund as
Chief Commercial Officer. Mr. Grund is a seasoned pharmaceutical
executive with significant operational, commercial and strategic
leadership experience across renal and specialty markets.
"Nik is a profoundly knowledgeable executive with an impressive
track record of leading commercial initiatives within the renal
market," said John P. Butler, Chief
Executive Officer of Akebia. "His operational versatility and
breadth of expertise in customer facing roles will be critical for
Akebia as we prepare for the vadadustat launch in the U.S., if
approved, and continue our goal to maximize Auryxia® (ferric
citrate) revenue. We are pleased to welcome Nik to Akebia as he
further strengthens our leadership team."
Prior to joining Akebia, Mr. Grund served as President of
Eurofins Transplant Genomics where he steered organizational change
and facilitated continuous operating efficiency improvements and
revenue growth. He was also Chief Commercial Officer of AMAG
Pharmaceuticals where he managed commercial activities across four
business units. Mr. Grund also held positions of increasing
responsibility at Sanofi in its specialty care business and oversaw
operations of its renal business unit.
"I am delighted to join the Akebia team at this pivotal moment,"
said Mr. Grund. "Akebia has already built an impressive
renal-focused commercial organization and their deep commitment to
patients and connection to providers is evident. I am keen to build
on the teams' efforts to prepare for the potential vadadustat
launch with the ultimate goal of serving dialysis patients."
About Akebia Therapeutics
Akebia Therapeutics, Inc. is
a fully integrated biopharmaceutical company with the purpose to
better the lives of people impacted by kidney disease. Akebia was
founded in 2007 and is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts. For more
information, please visit our website at www.akebia.com, which does
not form a part of this release.
About Vadadustat
Vadadustat is an oral
hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor designed to
mimic the physiologic effect of altitude on oxygen availability. At
higher altitudes, the body responds to lower oxygen availability
with stabilization of hypoxia-inducible factor, which can lead to
increased red blood cell production and improved oxygen delivery to
tissues. Vadadustat is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration. Vadadustat is approved in Europe and Australia for the treatment of symptomatic
anemia due to CKD in adult patients on chronic maintenance
dialysis. In Japan, vadadustat is
approved as a treatment for anemia due to CKD in both
dialysis-dependent and non-dialysis dependent adult patients.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this press
release regarding Akebia Therapeutics, Inc.'s ("Akebia's")
strategy, plans, prospects, expectations, beliefs, intentions and
goals are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S.
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, and
include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: expectations
regarding a decision by the FDA on its NDA for vadadustat; Akebia's
plans with respect to commercializing vadadustat in the U.S. if
approved, including the potential launch thereof; expectations
regarding maximizing Auryxia revenue; and its goal to serve
patients. The terms "intend," "believe," "plan," "goal," "expect,"
"potential," "anticipate," "will," "continue," derivatives of these
words, and similar references are intended to identify
forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking
statements contain these identifying words. Actual results,
performance or experience may differ materially from those
expressed or implied by any forward-looking statement as a result
of various risks, uncertainties and other factors, including, but
not limited to, risks associated with: decisions made by health
authorities, such as the FDA, with respect to regulatory filings,
including the anticipated FDA decision on the NDA for vadadustat;
the potential therapeutic benefits, safety profile, and
effectiveness of vadadustat; the potential demand and market
potential and acceptance of, as well as coverage and reimbursement
related to, Auryxia, including estimates regarding the potential
market opportunity; the competitive landscape for Auryxia,
including potential generic entrants; the ability of Akebia to
attract and retain qualified personnel; the results of preclinical
and clinical research; the direct or indirect impact of the
COVID-19 pandemic on regulators and Akebia's business, operations,
and the markets and communities in which Akebia and its partners,
collaborators, vendors and customers operate; manufacturing, supply
chain and quality matters and any recalls, write-downs, impairments
or other related consequences or potential consequences; and early
termination of any of Akebia's collaborations. Other risks and
uncertainties include those identified under the heading "Risk
Factors" in Akebia's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter
ended September 30, 2023, and other
filings that Akebia may make with the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission in the future. These forward-looking statements (except
as otherwise noted) speak only as of the date of this press
release, and, except as required by law, Akebia does not undertake,
and specifically disclaims, any obligation to update any
forward-looking statements contained in this press release.
Akebia Therapeutics® and Auryxia® are
registered trademarks of Akebia Therapeutics, Inc. and its
affiliates.
Akebia Therapeutics Contact
Mercedes Carrasco
mcarrasco@akebia.com
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SOURCE Akebia Therapeutics, Inc.