Genzyme Corporation announced that the European Commission has approved Renvela (sevelamer carbonate) for the control of serum phosphorus in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The approval includes patients not on dialysis with serum phosphorus levels = 1.78 mmol/L (5.5 mg/dL), and covers both the tablet and powder formulations.

"With this marketing authorization, Renvela is the first phosphate binder for patients not on dialysis approved through the centralized procedure in Europe," said Dan Regan, senior vice president and general manager of Genzyme's renal business. "This is an important step toward improved patient care, and we are pleased that CKD patients in Europe will now have access to this proven therapy."

Renvela is a next-generation version of Renagel (sevelamer hydrochloride), a calcium-free, metal-free, non-absorbed phosphate binder, and has the added benefit of a carbonate buffer. In a clinical study comparing Renvela to Renagel, both drugs controlled serum phosphorus equally to within the recommended KDOQI range.

"Hyperphosphatemia is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease in patients with CKD, and frequently starts before patients reach dialysis," said Markus Ketteler, professor of Medicine and Clinical Nephrologist, Klinikum Coburg, Academic Teaching Hospital of the University of Würzburg, Germany. "Renvela is an important addition to the therapeutic options available to nephrologists, and gives them the opportunity to treat hyperphosphatemia earlier."

Elevated serum phosphorus levels are common in patients with CKD because phosphorus is not easily filtered by the diseased kidneys and as a result builds up in the body. This build up is associated with calcification of tissues, and therefore controlling serum phosphorous is an important element in the care of patients with CKD.

Genzyme has been working with regulatory officials worldwide to secure additional approvals for Renvela. The company this quarter launched Renvela in India for CKD patients on dialysis. This week, Genzyme also received approval for the treatment in Brazil, the second-largest market for sevelamer outside of the United States. The Brazil approval is for the treatment of CKD patients on dialysis; the company also plans to seek approval in that country for the product's use in hyperphosphatemic CKD patients who are not on dialysis.

In the United States, Genzyme launched Renvela tablets for patients with CKD on dialysis in March 2008, and the company anticipates FDA approval of the powder formulation for this indication during the second half of this year.

Genzyme has also been in discussions with the FDA regarding the treatment of hyperphosphatemic CKD patients not on dialysis. Genzyme now anticipates that its discussions with the agency will continue beyond midyear, and given the nature of this process, the company cannot provide an anticipated timeframe for the agency's decision on this indication. Genzyme's 2009 guidance will not be affected.

Renvela (sevelamer carbonate) and Renagel (sevelamer hydrochloride) are currently the only phosphate binders available that do not contain either calcium or a metal.

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