High Need for a New Phosphate Binder Exists--Fewer Pills, Better Efficacy in Reducing Phosphorus and Improved Tolerability Rated as Higher Unmet Needs

BURLINGTON, Mass., Aug. 6, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Decision Resources Group finds that there is a high need for new phosphate binders to treat hyperphosphatemia among surveyed U.S. nephrologists (n=102). Phosphate binders with fewer pills, better efficacy in reducing serum phosphorous and improved tolerability are rated as higher unmet needs to surveyed nephrologists than safety, limited drug interactions, availability in a variety of oral formulations and areas outside of phosphorous control (e.g. impact on hemoglobin, TSAT/ferritin and LDL, respectively).

Other key findings from the report entitled Special Report: The Impact of New Iron-Based Phosphate Binders on the Hyperphosphatemia Market (US) 2014:

• Aided Awareness: Not surprisingly, over 60 percent of nephrologists report aided awareness of Velphoro—significantly higher than 40 percent of nephrologists who report aided awareness of Zerenex, which has filed a new drug application to the U.S. FDA with PDUFA date of September 7, 2014.
• Perceptions of Velphoro and Zerenex Uniqueness: Just over one-half of surveyed nephrologists report that Velphoro and Zerenex are highly unique compared with currently available phosphate binders. The remaining physicians tend to report that the products are moderately unique. 
• Velphoro Non-Prescribers: Over 40 percent of non-prescribers expect to start prescribing Velphoro, which was FDA approved in November 2013, in the dialysis setting in the next three months.
• Impact of Iron-Based Binders on the use of IV iron and erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs): Surveyed nephrologists seem more confident that an iron-based phosphate binder will impact the use of IV iron vs. the use of ESAs, and they are more likely to believe that Zerenex vs. Velphoro will have an impact on the use of IV iron.
• Patient Case Studies: The report discusses four different patient case studies. In one study of a hypothetical patient with well-managed labs on a calcium-based phosphate binder, about the same percentage of surveyed nephrologists believe Zerenex and Velphoro are appropriate for this patient, respectively. 
• Future Use of Velphoro: Six months from now, surveyed nephrologists expect greater than 10 percent of their hemodialysis patients to be on Velphoro.

Comments from Decision Resources Group Director Rob Dubman:

•  "This report appears to indicate that there is a misperception about Velphoro and its possible benefits on improving iron parameters, as surveyed nephrologists rated Velphoro significantly high than Renvela on this attribute. As noted in the prescription information, trials indicate that Velphoro has no meaningful clinical impact in serum iron compared to the active control, but some physicians believe it does. The misperception may entice more use of Velphoro, or it may mean an opportunity for Zerenex to educate physicians correctly, in the event it receives FDA approval next month."

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SOURCE Decision Resources Group