Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a commercial-stage biotechnology company with a primary focus in oncology, announced that it has acquired 100 per cent rights to RenaZorb (a family of compounds represented by SPI-014, also known as RZB-014), from Altair Nanotechnologies. RenaZorb is a lanthanum-based nanotechnology compound with potent and selective phosphate binding properties, for all human and non-human indications.

"While focused on the oncology field, we remain opportunistic with our other value-driving assets such as RenaZorb, a drug candidate with the potential to reduce dosage burden for chronic kidney disease patients and enable more effective management of their disease," said Rajesh C Shrotriya, MD, chairman, chief executive officer, and president of Spectrum Pharmaceuticals. "Having full rights to this selective and potent nanotechnology-based drug candidate will facilitate our development and partnering strategy for this asset."

In 2005, the company acquired the worldwide license to develop RenaZorb for all human therapeutic uses from Altair Nanotechnologies. Today's acquisition includes all uses and thus provides full rights, and intellectual property, for the asset. In consideration for the license, Spectrum will pay to Altair a total of $750,000 in restricted common stock.

"Given the importance of effectively controlling serum phosphate levels for patients with chronic kidney disease, there has been significant recent activity to extend the use of phosphate binding medications to a wider proportion of the 26 million Americans currently suffering with CKD," said Amar Singh, chief commercial officer. "Given this activity, and the limitations of existing phosphate binding medications, the market opportunity for new safe and effective phosphate binding medications has significantly increased not only in the US but in other major pharmaceutical markets such as Europe, China, and Japan. Having full title to this asset allows us to maximize the value of this opportunity."

RenaZorb, or SPI-014, is a non-aluminum, non-polymer, non-calcium, lanthanum-based nanotechnology with highly potent and selective phosphate binding properties, for the potential treatment via oral administration, of hyperphosphatemia, (high phosphate levels in the blood), in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Hyperphosphatemia in Stage 5 CKD, also known as end-stage renal disease (ESRD), can lead to significant bone disease (including pain and fractures), secondary hyperthyroidism in renal sufficiency, cardiovascular disease, and is independently associated with increased mortality. Currently marketed therapies for treating hyperphosphatemia include polymer-based and lanthanum-based phosphate binders, aluminum-based phosphate binders, and calcium-based phosphate binders. According to the United States Renal Data System (USRDS), over the last 20 years, the number of patients with ESRD in the US has grown 4-fold. By 2010 there will be an estimated 661,330 patients with ESRD.

Headquartered in Reno, Nevada with manufacturing in Anderson, Indiana, Altair Nanotechnologies is a leading provider of energy storage systems for clean, efficient power and energy management. Going beyond lithium ion, Altairnano's Lithium-Titanate based battery systems are among the highest performing and most scalable, with applications that include battery cells for military artillery, battery packs for hybrid vehicles and energy storage systems for large-scale stationary power services.