– USA, MA – Akebia Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:AKBA), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel, proprietary therapeutics based on hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) biology and the commercialization of these products for patients with kidney disease, today announced that Ronald C. Renaud, Jr., former President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Idenix Pharmaceuticals, Inc., has been appointed to Akebia’s Board of Directors.
“As a prominent and well-respected industry veteran and visionary, Ron brings significant experience and tremendous value to the company,” said Muneer A. Satter, Chairman of Akebia’s Board of Directors. “Akebia continues to progress AKB-6548 toward late-stage clinical development as a treatment for anemia related to chronic kidney disease, while advancing earlier stage HIF compounds with the potential to treat a broad range of serious diseases. We welcome Ron to the Board and look forward to his contributions in the critical and exciting months that lie ahead for the company.”
Mr. Renaud served as President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Idenix Pharmaceuticals, Inc. from October 2010 until the company’s recent acquisition by Merck. Prior to that, Mr. Renaud served in several key roles at Idenix including Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Chief Business Officer. Before joining Idenix, Mr. Renaud served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Keryx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. Previously, Mr. Renaud was also a Senior Research Analyst and Global Sector Coordinator for JP Morgan Securities, where he was responsible for the biotechnology equity research effort, covering all ranges of capitalized biotechnology companies. Mr. Renaud also spent more than five years at Amgen Inc., where he held positions in clinical research, investor relations and finance. Mr. Renaud holds a B.A. from St. Anselm College and an M.B.A. from the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California.
“I am delighted to join Akebia’s Board, particularly at this exciting time for the company. Akebia continues to build momentum as it approaches the Phase 2b data readout for AKB-6548 later this year and prepares to embark on a Phase 3 development program in 2015,” said Mr. Renaud. “The potential opportunities for a once-daily, oral treatment option that could safely and effectively treat patients with chronic kidney disease impacted by anemia are significant. A new approach to address this serious medical condition would represent not only a paradigm shift, but a true scientific and medical advancement.”
AKB-6548 is currently in Phase 2b development for the treatment of anemia related to chronic kidney disease in patients who are not dependent on dialysis, with results expected in the fourth quarter of 2014.
About Akebia Therapeutics
Akebia Therapeutics, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, focused on harnessing the potential of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) biology to develop and commercialize novel, proprietary therapeutics to treat kidney disease. Akebia’s lead clinical program, AKB-6548, is a once-daily, oral therapy currently in Phase 2b clinical development for the treatment of anemia related to chronic kidney disease, a serious medical condition that leads to increased morbidity and mortality if left untreated
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