Akebia Therapeutics (NASDAQ:AKBA) is a clinical‐stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of therapies for patients with kidney disease. Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Akebia’s mission is to improve the lives of patients suffering from renal disorders, particularly chronic kidney disease (CKD). The company leverages its expertise in hypoxia‐inducible factor (HIF) biology to create novel treatments aimed at addressing anemia associated with CKD and other serious conditions.
The company’s leading product candidate, vadadustat, is an oral HIF prolyl‐hydroxylase inhibitor designed to treat anemia in both non‐dialysis and dialysis‐dependent CKD patients. Vadadustat seeks to offer an alternative to injectable erythropoiesis‐stimulating agents by promoting endogenous erythropoietin production and improving iron mobilization. In addition to vadadustat, Akebia maintains a pipeline of early‐stage programs targeting other indications where HIF modulation may provide therapeutic benefit.
Akebia operates globally through strategic partnerships and collaborations. In 2014, the company entered into a licensing and collaboration agreement with Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., which granted rights to develop and commercialize vadadustat in key markets including the United States, Europe, Japan, China and other territories. This alliance has enabled Akebia to combine its scientific capabilities with Otsuka’s regulatory and commercial infrastructure, accelerating the advancement of vadadustat through pivotal clinical trials and regulatory review processes across multiple regions.
Leadership at Akebia comprises seasoned executives and scientists with extensive experience in drug development and commercialization. The company’s management team is led by a Board of Directors with backgrounds in biotechnology, nephrology and pharmaceutical operations. Since its inception, Akebia has built a strong governance framework and has been guided by a commitment to scientific rigor, patient‐centricity and long‐term value creation in the renal care community.
