Keryx Biopharma Announces Patent For Auryxia - Quick Facts

(RTTNews) - Keryx Biopharmaceuticals Inc. (KERX) announced the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has issued a U.S. Patent, which claims a method of treating hyperphosphatemia comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of an orally administrable form of ferric citrate to a subject, wherein the orally administrable form is prepared from a ferric citrate having a BET active surface area greater than about 16 sq. m/g. The patent also claims a broad category of orally administrable forms covering Auryxia, as well as other oral formulations that could be developed in the future.

Ron Bentsur, CEO of Keryx, said, "This patent is significant in that it links orally administrable forms, including Auryxia, prepared from Keryx's unique API, having a surface area greater than about 16 sq. m/g. With the high surface area being a manufacturing specification for our API, we believe that the patent issued today provides another layer of substantial protection for Auryxia."

On September 5, 2014, Auryxia (ferric citrate) was approved by FDA for the control of serum phosphorus levels in patients with chronic kidney disease on dialysis. The company continues to prosecute additional patent applications for Auryxia.