WIXOM, MI--(Marketwired - May 6, 2013) - Rockwell Medical, Inc. (
Dr. Ajay Gupta, Chief Scientific Officer of Rockwell Medical, will present "Soluble Ferric Pyrophosphate (SFP) Administered via Hemodialysate Reduces ESA Use" Sunday, May 19 th at 8:45am in the Late Breaking Clinical Trials session. Dr. Gupta, by invitation, will also present at the Late Breaking Clinical Trials Press Briefing at 10:30am.
"We are very excited to share the PRIME study data at the ERA-EDTA meeting in May," stated Dr. Raymond Pratt, Chief Medical Officer of Rockwell Medical. "We are focused on bringing this novel iron therapy to the global CKD-HD patient population, and the PRIME results are an important step in that process."
ERA-EDTA is one of the fastest growing Medical Associations, whose purpose is to encourage and to report advances in the field of clinical nephrology, dialysis, renal transplantation and related subjects. The SFP PRIME study data was submitted as a late-breaking clinical trial abstract. The acceptance of the abstract for presentation at the LBCT session is noteworthy, as only significant clinical trials are considered for presentation.
About SFP SFP is a unique iron compound that is delivered to the hemodialysis patient via dialysate, replacing the 5-7mg of iron lost during a dialysis treatment. SFP is introduced into the sodium bicarbonate concentrate that subsequently is mixed into dialysate. Once in the dialysate, SFP crosses the dialyzer membrane and enters the bloodstream where it immediately binds to apo-transferrin and is taken to the bone marrow, mimicking the way dietary iron is processed in the human body. In completed clinical trials to date, SFP has demonstrated that it can safely deliver iron and maintain hemoglobin levels, while decreasing ESA use without an increase in iron stores.
About Rockwell Medical Rockwell Medical is a fully-integrated biopharmaceutical company targeting end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) with innovative products and services for the treatment of iron deficiency, secondary hyperparathyroidism and hemodialysis.
Rockwell's lead drug candidate in late-stage clinical development is for the treatment of iron deficiency in dialysis patients and is called Soluble Ferric Pyrophosphate (SFP). SFP delivers iron to the bone marrow of dialysis patients in a non-invasive, physiologic manner via dialysate during their regular dialysis treatment. In completed clinical trials to date, SFP has demonstrated that it can safely deliver sufficient iron to the bone marrow. SFP is nearing completion of its Phase 3 clinical studies (CRUISE-1 and CRUISE-2) and is expected to address an estimated $600M U.S. market.
Rockwell is preparing to launch its FDA approved generic drug called Calcitriol to treat secondary hyperparathyroidism in dialysis patients. Calcitriol active vitamin D injection is indicated in the management of hypocalcemia in patients undergoing chronic renal dialysis. It has been shown to significantly reduce elevated parathyroid hormone levels. Reduction of PTH has been shown to result in an improvement in renal osteodystrophy. Rockwell intends to launch Calcitriol as soon as it receives FDA manufacturing approval, addressing an estimated $350M U.S. market.
Rockwell is also an established manufacturer and leader in delivering high-quality hemodialysis concentrates/dialysates to dialysis providers and distributors in the U.S. and abroad. As one of the two major suppliers in the U.S., Rockwell's products are used to maintain human life, by removing toxins and replacing critical nutrients in the dialysis patient's bloodstream. Rockwell has three manufacturing and distribution facilities located in the U.S. and its operating infrastructure is a ready-made sales and distribution channel that is able to provide seamless integration into the commercial market for its drug products, Calcitriol and SFP upon FDA market approval.
Rockwell's exclusive renal drug therapies support disease management initiatives to improve the quality of life and care of dialysis patients and are intended to deliver safe and effective therapy, while decreasing drug administration costs and improving patient convenience. Rockwell Medical is developing a pipeline of drug therapies, including extensions of SFP for indications outside of hemodialysis. Please visit www.rockwellmed.com for more information. For a demonstration of SFP's unique mechanism of action in delivering iron via dialysate, please view the animation video at http://www.rockwellmed.com/collateral/documen...ction.html .
Certain statements in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Words such as "may," "might," "will," "should," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "continue," "predict," "forecast," "project," "plan," "intend" or similar expressions, or statements regarding intent, belief, or current expectations, are forward-looking statements. While the Company believes these forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on any such forward-looking statements, which are based on information available to us on the date of this release. These forward-looking statements are based upon current estimates and assumptions and are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including without limitation those set forth in Rockwell Medical's SEC filings. Thus, actual results could be materially different. Rockwell Medical expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
Contact: Michael Rice Investor Relations 646-597-6979 David Connolly Media Contact 617-374-8800
