{"id":1017565,"date":"2026-11-05T09:04:58","date_gmt":"2026-11-05T14:04:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\/index.php\/akebia-therapeutics-reports-positive-topline-data-from-vocal-trial-showing-vadadustat-dosed-tiw-met-primary-endpoint-of-non-inferiority-to-esa-in-maintaining-hemoglobin\/"},"modified":"2026-11-05T09:04:58","modified_gmt":"2026-11-05T14:04:58","slug":"akebia-therapeutics-reports-positive-topline-data-from-vocal-trial-showing-vadadustat-dosed-tiw-met-primary-endpoint-of-non-inferiority-to-esa-in-maintaining-hemoglobin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\/index.php\/akebia-therapeutics-reports-positive-topline-data-from-vocal-trial-showing-vadadustat-dosed-tiw-met-primary-endpoint-of-non-inferiority-to-esa-in-maintaining-hemoglobin\/","title":{"rendered":"Akebia Therapeutics Reports Positive Topline Data from VOCAL Trial Showing Vadadustat Dosed TIW Met Primary Endpoint of Non-Inferiority to ESA in Maintaining Hemoglobin"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>\nTrial results add to robust dataset comparing vadadustat to the current standard of care, including recent 2,100+ patient VOICE trial that demonstrated a clinically meaningful safety benefit<br \/>\n<\/h2>\n<div class=\"mw_release\">\n<p>WALTHAM, Mass., Nov.  05, 2026  (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) &#8212; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.globenewswire.com\/Tracker?data=PH1tixlwEejZpeeUB2-fUZhkjXbXiDLg9NvQr4PWMIrpvhSDZ7DFqDTrOBBo5tAu4H3z4mNqVK54cwyfSmJ-q5NpnFuzlMSwbfNVuu2bIjc=\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">Akebia Therapeutics<sup>\u00ae<\/sup>, Inc.<\/a> (Nasdaq: AKBA), a biopharmaceutical company with the purpose to better the lives of people impacted by kidney disease, today announced topline results from VOCAL, an open-label trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of three times per week (TIW) dosing of vadadustat compared to the current standard of care erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESA) in patients with anemia due to chronic kidney disease (CKD) receiving in-center hemodialysis. Vadadustat met the primary endpoint of non-inferiority to ESA in maintaining hemoglobin (Hb) and treatment-emergent serious adverse events rates were similar with vadadustat versus ESA.<\/p>\n<p>Vafseo<sup>\u00ae<\/sup> (vadadustat), was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in March 2024 for the treatment of anemia due to CKD in adults who have been receiving dialysis for at least three months and has been available in the U.S. since January 2025. Vafseo is approved for once-daily administration.<\/p>\n<p>The VOCAL results complement the clinical evidence on vadadustat and provide additional information about its investigational three-times weekly dosing regimen, including:<\/p>\n<ul type=\"disc\">\n<li>\n          <a href=\"https:\/\/ir.akebia.com\/news-releases\/news-release-details\/us-renal-care-presents-analysis-voice-trial-demonstrating\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">Data from the VOICE trial of 2,116 patients<\/a> demonstrated a statistically significant improved safety outcome in patients treated with vadadustat versus the ESA, Epogen, on the hierarchical composite endpoint of all-cause mortality and hospitalization, driven by a significant reduction in hospitalization rate.<\/li>\n<li>\n          <a href=\"https:\/\/ir.akebia.com\/news-releases\/news-release-details\/vafseor-vadadustat-dialysis-dependent-patient-post-hoc-data\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">The prospective VOICE data analysis confirmed the post hoc win statistics analysis of the INNO<\/a><br \/>\n          <a href=\"https:\/\/ir.akebia.com\/news-releases\/news-release-details\/vafseor-vadadustat-dialysis-dependent-patient-post-hoc-data\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"><br \/>\n            <sub>2<\/sub><br \/>\n          <\/a><br \/>\n          <a href=\"https:\/\/ir.akebia.com\/news-releases\/news-release-details\/vafseor-vadadustat-dialysis-dependent-patient-post-hoc-data\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">VATE program<\/a> in patients with dialysis-dependent (DD) CKD treated with vadadustat or the ESA, Aranesp, in which vadadustat demonstrated a statistically significant reduction on the composite endpoint of death and hospitalization rate versus ESA.<\/li>\n<li>\n          <a href=\"https:\/\/ir.akebia.com\/news-releases\/news-release-details\/akebia-therapeutics-announces-positive-top-line-results\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">The FO<\/a><br \/>\n          <a href=\"https:\/\/ir.akebia.com\/news-releases\/news-release-details\/akebia-therapeutics-announces-positive-top-line-results\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"><br \/>\n            <sub>2<\/sub><br \/>\n          <\/a><br \/>\n          <a href=\"https:\/\/ir.akebia.com\/news-releases\/news-release-details\/akebia-therapeutics-announces-positive-top-line-results\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">CUS trial<\/a> demonstrated that vadadustat was non-inferior to the ESA, Mircera, in Hb control and serious adverse events rates were similar with vadadustat versus ESA when administered TIW to patients with DD-CKD.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\u201cThe VOCAL trial results add to the body of clinical evidence on vadadustat compared to various forms of ESA and provide additional information about its investigational three-times-weekly dosing regimen, which we believe is meaningful as dialysis providers and prescribers make care decisions,\u201d said Steven K. Burke, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of Akebia. \u201cWe are grateful to the clinicians who participated in the trial and especially to the patients. We continue our commitment to bring innovation to people impacted by kidney disease.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The VOCAL trial (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.globenewswire.com\/Tracker?data=trG7V0-7FmhHK335M1drKdW2n8o40IJ0GD_EJzPDFrc-0CPsm3iF3o4SHItOhy76HcDHxRHGWGzqzscSYNZ5dQS6jMKE7_t9DUrTeVMHhLkJqqMhTU4JR_1ttl2Fp5UMKNfNgozBSYW427vAFI8h6iAQkEqWg_FMiryDCls-3rBpdPpfEWZUQ11hKtlfIVdEeQCP9i3ZNUasXSHH5dqNYQ==\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT06901505<\/a>) enrolled 353 patients across 18large dialysis organization hemodialysis clinics randomized (1:1) into vadadustat TIW or the ESA, Mircera. The primary efficacy endpoint was the mean change in Hb between baseline and the primary evaluation period (weeks 20-24). Vadadustat met the primary endpoint of non-inferiority to ESA. The least square mean difference in Hb was -0.45 g\/dL (95% confidence interval -0.71, -0.19) for the comparison of the vadadustat group versus the ESA group. The lower bound of the 95% confidence interval was above the non-inferiority margin of \u20130.75 g\/dL. The safety endpoint was the rate of treatment-emergent serious adverse events. Exposure-adjusted treatment-emergent serious adverse events rates were similar with vadadustat versus ESA. Patients treated with vadadustat experienced 159.7 events per 100 patient-years compared to 183.9 events per 100 patient-years for patients treated with ESA.<\/p>\n<p align=\"justify\">\n        <strong>About Akebia Therapeutics<\/strong><br \/>\n        <br \/>Akebia Therapeutics, Inc. is a fully integrated biopharmaceutical company with the purpose to better the lives of people impacted by kidney disease. Akebia was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts. For more information, please visit our website at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.globenewswire.com\/Tracker?data=81Oiy_S-NisuPpX-oZ2AVmGoGEwNl-V-I-ZnTvcZjQmlCSewXGVS_E99HTL21qWm9KzSZnOnHsAlcJcGgwoHuw==\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">www.akebia.com<\/a>, which does not form a part of this release.<\/p>\n<p align=\"justify\">\n        <strong>About Vafseo<sup>\u00ae<\/sup> (vadadustat) tablets <\/strong><br \/>\n        <br \/>Vafseo<sup>\u00ae<\/sup> (vadadustat) tablets is a once-daily oral hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor that activates the physiologic response to hypoxia to stimulate endogenous production of erythropoietin, increasing hemoglobin and red blood cell production to manage anemia. Vafseo is approved for use in 37 countries.<\/p>\n<p>\n        <strong>INDICATION<\/strong><br \/>\n        <br \/>VAFSEO is indicated for the treatment of anemia due to chronic kidney disease (CKD) in adults who have been receiving dialysis for at least three months.<\/p>\n<p>\n        <u>Limitations of Use<\/u>\n      <\/p>\n<ul type=\"disc\">\n<li>VAFSEO has not been shown to improve quality of life, fatigue, or patient well-being.<\/li>\n<li>VAFSEO is not indicated for use:\n<ul type=\"circle\">\n<li>As a substitute for red blood cell transfusions in patients who require immediate correction of anemia.<\/li>\n<li>In patients with anemia due to CKD not on dialysis.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\n        <strong>IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION about VAFSEO (vadadustat) tablets<\/strong>\n      <\/p>\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse;width:99.9785%;border-collapse:collapse\">\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width:99.7205%;border-right: solid black 1pt;border-left: solid black 1pt;border-top: solid black 1pt;vertical-align: middle;text-align: left;padding-left: 10.0px;text-align: center;vertical-align: middle\">\n            <strong>WARNING: INCREASED RISK OF DEATH, MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION, STROKE, VENOUS THROMBOEMBOLISM, and THROMBOSIS OF VASCULAR ACCESS.<\/strong>\u00a0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width:99.7205%;border-right: solid black 1pt;border-left: solid black 1pt;border-bottom: solid black 1pt;vertical-align: middle;text-align: left;padding-left: 10.0px\">\u00a0<strong>VAFSEO increases the risk of thrombotic vascular events, including major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE).\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0<br \/><strong>Targeting a hemoglobin level greater than 11 g\/dL is expected to further increase the risk of death and arterial and venous thrombotic events, as occurs with erythropoietin stimulating agents (ESAs), which also increase erythropoietin levels.\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0<br \/><strong>No trial has identified a hemoglobin target level, dose of VAFSEO, or dosing strategy that does not increase these risks.\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0<br \/><strong>Use the lowest dose of VAFSEO sufficient to reduce the need for red blood cell transfusions.\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width:99.7205%\">\u00a0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p>\n        <strong>CONTRAINDICATIONS\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n<ul type=\"disc\">\n<li>Known hypersensitivity to VAFSEO or any of its components\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n<li>Uncontrolled hypertension\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\n        <strong>WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS <\/strong>\n      <\/p>\n<ul type=\"disc\">\n<li>\n          <strong>Increased Risk of Death, Myocardial Infarction (MI), Stroke, Venous Thromboembolism, and Thrombosis of Vascular Access<br \/><\/strong>A rise in hemoglobin (Hb) levels greater than 1 g\/dL over 2 weeks can increase these risks. Avoid \u00a0\u00a0in patients with a history of MI, cerebrovascular event, or acute coronary syndrome within the 3 months prior to starting VAFSEO. Targeting a Hb level of greater than 11 g\/dL is expected to\u00a0further increase the risk of death and arterial and venous thrombotic events. Use the lowest\u00a0effective dose to reduce the need for red blood cell (RBC) transfusions. Adhere to dosing and Hb\u00a0monitoring recommendations to avoid excessive erythropoiesis.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul type=\"disc\">\n<li>\n          <strong>Hepatotoxicity<br \/><\/strong>Hepatocellular injury attributed to VAFSEO was reported in less than 1% of patients, including\u00a0one severe case with jaundice. Elevated serum ALT, AST, and bilirubin levels were observed\u00a0in 1.8%, 1.8%, and 0.3% of CKD patients treated with VAFSEO, respectively. Measure ALT,\u00a0AST, and bilirubin before treatment and monthly for the first 6 months, then as clinically\u00a0indicated. Discontinue VAFSEO if ALT or AST is persistently elevated or accompanied by elevated\u00a0bilirubin. Not recommended in patients with cirrhosis or active, acute liver disease.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul type=\"disc\">\n<li>\n          <strong>Hypertension<\/strong><br \/>\n          <br \/>Worsening of hypertension was reported in 14% of VAFSEO and 17% of darbepoetin alfa\u00a0patients. Serious worsening of hypertension was reported in 2.7% of VAFSEO and 3% of\u00a0darbepoetin alfa patients. Cases of hypertensive crisis, including hypertensive encephalopathy\u00a0and seizures, have also been reported in patients receiving VAFSEO. Monitor blood pressure. Adjust anti-hypertensive therapy as needed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul type=\"disc\">\n<li>\n          <strong>Seizures<\/strong><br \/>\n          <br \/>Seizures occurred in 1.6% of VAFSEO and 1.6% of darbepoetin alfa patients. Monitor for new-\u00a0onset seizures, premonitory symptoms, or change in seizure frequency.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul type=\"disc\">\n<li>\n          <strong>Gastrointestinal (GI) Erosion<br \/><\/strong>Gastric or esophageal erosions occurred in 6.4% of VAFSEO and 5.3% of darbepoetin alfa\u00a0patients. Serious GI erosions, including GI bleeding and the need for RBC transfusions, were\u00a0reported in 3.4% of VAFSEO and 3.3% of darbepoetin alfa patients. Consider this risk in patients\u00a0at increased risk of GI erosion. Advise patients about signs of erosions and GI bleeding and urge\u00a0them to seek prompt medical care if present.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul type=\"disc\">\n<li>\n          <strong>Serious Adverse Reactions in Patients with Anemia Due to CKD and Not on Dialysis<br \/><\/strong>The safety of VAFSEO has not been established for the treatment of anemia due to CKD in adults\u00a0not on dialysis and its use is not recommended in this setting. In large clinical trials in adults with\u00a0anemia of CKD who were not on dialysis, an increased risk of mortality, stroke, MI, serious acute\u00a0kidney injury, serious hepatic injury, and serious GI erosions was observed in patients treated\u00a0with VAFSEO compared to darbepoetin alfa.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul type=\"disc\">\n<li>\n          <strong>Malignancy<br \/><\/strong>VAFSEO has not been studied and is not recommended in patients with active malignancies.\u00a0Malignancies were observed in 2.2% of VAFSEO and 3.0% of darbepoetin alfa patients. No\u00a0evidence of increased carcinogenicity was observed in animal studies.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\n        <strong>ADVERSE REACTIONS <\/strong>\n      <\/p>\n<ul type=\"disc\">\n<li>The most common adverse reactions (occurring at \u2265 10%) were hypertension and diarrhea.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\n        <strong>DRUG INTERACTIONS<\/strong>\n      <\/p>\n<ul type=\"disc\">\n<li>\n          <strong>Iron supplements and iron-containing phosphate binders:<\/strong> Administer VAFSEO at least 1 hour before products containing iron.<\/li>\n<li>\n          <strong>Non-iron-containing phosphate binders<\/strong>: Administer VAFSEO at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after non-iron-containing phosphate binders.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul type=\"disc\">\n<li>\n          <strong>BCRP substrates<\/strong>: Monitor for signs of substrate adverse reactions and consider dose reduction.<\/li>\n<li>\n          <strong>Statins<\/strong>: Monitor for statin-related adverse reactions. Limit the daily dose of simvastatin to 20 mg and rosuvastatin to 5 mg.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\n        <strong>USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS<\/strong>\n      <\/p>\n<ul type=\"disc\">\n<li>Pregnancy: May cause fetal harm. A pregnancy exposure registry is available to monitor outcomes in women exposed to VAFSEO during pregnancy. Report pregnancies to 1-844-445-3799.<\/li>\n<li>Lactation: Breastfeeding not recommended until two days after the final dose.<\/li>\n<li>Hepatic Impairment<strong>:<\/strong> Not recommended in patients with cirrhosis or active, acute liver disease.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\n        <strong>Please note that this information is not comprehensive. Please click <\/strong><br \/>\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.globenewswire.com\/Tracker?data=wv98W3bxktaIXTJeiZ5kEiw_JiF4Nt4IIYjP5A8DKzKJ-KJFWpQrinn3x43Puky3hfwgmuFkvbxTF1lGdTYFDL6pOxrA7AjmwhsOTpfr7pUSBKHiC304VvlEZYmgfso1\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"><br \/>\n          <strong>here<\/strong><br \/>\n        <\/a><br \/>\n        <strong> for the Full Prescribing Information, including BOXED WARNING and Medication Guide. <\/strong>\n      <\/p>\n<p align=\"justify\">\n        <strong>Forward-Looking Statements<\/strong>\n      <\/p>\n<p>Statements in this press release regarding Akebia Therapeutics, Inc.&#8217;s (\u201cAkebia&#8217;s\u201d) strategy, plans, prospects, expectations, beliefs, intentions and goals are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, and include, but are not limited to: Akebia\u2019s beliefs and expectations regarding the body of clinical evidence comparing vadadustat to various forms of ESA, and the extent to which such evidence, including the VOCAL trial results, will be meaningful to dialysis providers and prescribers; Akebia\u2019s beliefs regarding the data from the VOICE trial, including that the data demonstrated clinically meaningful safety benefit; and Akebia\u2019s commitment to bring innovation to people impacted by kidney disease.<\/p>\n<p>The terms \u201cintend,\u201d \u201cbelieve,\u201d \u201cplan,\u201d \u201cgoal,\u201d \u201cpotential,\u201d \u201canticipate,\u201d \u201cestimate,\u201d \u201ctarget,\u201d \u201cpredict,\u201d \u201cexpect,\u201d \u201cfuture,\u201d \u201cmay,\u201d \u201cwill,\u201d \u201ccould,\u201d \u201ccontinue,\u201d derivatives of these words, and similar references are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Actual results, performance or experience may differ materially from those expressed or implied by any forward-looking statement as a result of various risks, uncertainties and other factors, including, but not limited to, risks associated with: the potential therapeutic benefits, safety profile, and effectiveness of vadadustat; risks and uncertainties related to Akebia\u2019s ongoing and planned research and development activities, including initiating, conducting or completing preclinical studies and clinical trials and the timing of such preclinical studies and clinical trials; the results of Akebia\u2019s preclinical studies and clinical trials, including that initial, preliminary, interim, or top-line results do not necessarily predict final results and remain subject to final verification that may result in the final data being materially different from the initial data previously published; preclinical, clinical or retrospective data, analyses or results may not be replicated in, or predictive of, results of future preclinical or clinical data, analyses or results, or that such analysis or results may not support further development of such product candidates; Akebia\u2019s ability to initiate and enroll patients in its clinical trials; decisions made by health authorities, such as the FDA, with respect to regulatory filings and other interactions; the potential demand and market potential and acceptance of, as well as coverage and reimbursement related to Akebia\u2019s commercial products, including estimates regarding the potential market opportunity; the competitive landscape for Akebia\u2019s commercial products, including generic entrants and the timing thereof; Akebia\u2019s ability to obtain and maintain patent protection on its products and product candidates, and to successfully defend these patents against third-party challenges; Akebia\u2019s ability to attract and retain qualified personnel; Akebia&#8217;s ability to achieve and maintain profitability and to maintain operating expenses consistent with its operating plan; Akebia\u2019s revenue and that its financial results from prior periods may not be indicative of future results; Akebia\u2019s ability to refinance its senior secured term loan on acceptable terms or at all; manufacturing, supply chain and quality matters and any recalls, write-downs, impairments or other related consequences or potential consequences; early termination of any of Akebia&#8217;s collaborations; and changes in the geopolitical environment and uncertainty surrounding U.S. trade policy on tariffs. Other risks and uncertainties include those identified under the heading \u201cRisk Factors\u201d in Akebia&#8217;s most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and other filings that Akebia may make with the SEC in the future. These forward-looking statements (except as otherwise noted) speak only as of the date of this press release, and, except as required by law, Akebia does not undertake, and specifically disclaims, any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release.<\/p>\n<p align=\"justify\">Akebia Therapeutics\u00ae and Vafseo\u00ae are registered trademarks of Akebia Therapeutics, Inc.<\/p>\n<p align=\"justify\">\n        <strong>Akebia Therapeutics Contact<\/strong>\n      <\/p>\n<p align=\"justify\">Mercedes Carrasco<br \/>mcarrasco@akebia.com<\/p>\n<p>      <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"__GNW8366DE3E__IMG\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globenewswire.com\/newsroom\/ti?nf=OTg3MDg4NCM3OTQ3NDYxIzIwMDYzNTU=\" \/><br \/>\n      <br \/>\n      <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/ml.globenewswire.com\/media\/N2JjOTA5ZWYtNjBiZS00ODQ1LTlhZmUtMDZkYTI2Y2FiNTQ4LTEwMTc5MjgtMjAyNi0xMS0wNS1lbg==\/tiny\/Akebia-Therapeutics-Inc-.png\" \/>\n    <\/div>\n<div class=\"mw_contactinfo\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Trial results add to robust dataset comparing vadadustat to the current standard of care, including recent 2,100+ patient VOICE trial that demonstrated a clinically meaningful safety benefit WALTHAM, Mass., Nov. 05, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) &#8212; Akebia Therapeutics\u00ae, Inc. (Nasdaq: AKBA), a biopharmaceutical company with the purpose to better the lives of people impacted by kidney disease, today announced topline results from VOCAL, an open-label trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of three times per week (TIW) dosing of vadadustat compared to the current standard of care erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESA) in patients with anemia due to chronic kidney disease (CKD) receiving in-center hemodialysis. Vadadustat met the primary endpoint of non-inferiority to ESA in maintaining hemoglobin (Hb) and treatment-emergent serious adverse &hellip; <\/p>\n<p class=\"link-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\/index.php\/akebia-therapeutics-reports-positive-topline-data-from-vocal-trial-showing-vadadustat-dosed-tiw-met-primary-endpoint-of-non-inferiority-to-esa-in-maintaining-hemoglobin\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;Akebia Therapeutics Reports Positive Topline Data from VOCAL Trial Showing Vadadustat Dosed TIW Met Primary Endpoint of Non-Inferiority to ESA in Maintaining Hemoglobin&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1017565","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Akebia Therapeutics Reports Positive Topline Data from VOCAL Trial Showing Vadadustat Dosed TIW Met Primary Endpoint of Non-Inferiority to ESA in Maintaining Hemoglobin - Market Newsdesk<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\/index.php\/akebia-therapeutics-reports-positive-topline-data-from-vocal-trial-showing-vadadustat-dosed-tiw-met-primary-endpoint-of-non-inferiority-to-esa-in-maintaining-hemoglobin\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Akebia Therapeutics Reports Positive Topline Data from VOCAL Trial Showing Vadadustat Dosed TIW Met Primary Endpoint of Non-Inferiority to ESA in Maintaining Hemoglobin - Market Newsdesk\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Trial results add to robust dataset comparing vadadustat to the current standard of care, including recent 2,100+ patient VOICE trial that demonstrated a clinically meaningful safety benefit WALTHAM, Mass., Nov. 05, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) &#8212; Akebia Therapeutics\u00ae, Inc. (Nasdaq: AKBA), a biopharmaceutical company with the purpose to better the lives of people impacted by kidney disease, today announced topline results from VOCAL, an open-label trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of three times per week (TIW) dosing of vadadustat compared to the current standard of care erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESA) in patients with anemia due to chronic kidney disease (CKD) receiving in-center hemodialysis. Vadadustat met the primary endpoint of non-inferiority to ESA in maintaining hemoglobin (Hb) and treatment-emergent serious adverse &hellip; Continue reading &quot;Akebia Therapeutics Reports Positive Topline Data from VOCAL Trial Showing Vadadustat Dosed TIW Met Primary Endpoint of Non-Inferiority to ESA in Maintaining Hemoglobin&quot;\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\/index.php\/akebia-therapeutics-reports-positive-topline-data-from-vocal-trial-showing-vadadustat-dosed-tiw-met-primary-endpoint-of-non-inferiority-to-esa-in-maintaining-hemoglobin\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Market Newsdesk\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-11-05T14:04:58+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.globenewswire.com\/newsroom\/ti?nf=OTg3MDg4NCM3OTQ3NDYxIzIwMDYzNTU=\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Newsdesk\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Newsdesk\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"10 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\\\/index.php\\\/akebia-therapeutics-reports-positive-topline-data-from-vocal-trial-showing-vadadustat-dosed-tiw-met-primary-endpoint-of-non-inferiority-to-esa-in-maintaining-hemoglobin\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\\\/index.php\\\/akebia-therapeutics-reports-positive-topline-data-from-vocal-trial-showing-vadadustat-dosed-tiw-met-primary-endpoint-of-non-inferiority-to-esa-in-maintaining-hemoglobin\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Newsdesk\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/482f27a394d4fda80ecb5499e519d979\"},\"headline\":\"Akebia Therapeutics Reports Positive Topline Data from VOCAL Trial Showing Vadadustat Dosed TIW Met Primary Endpoint of Non-Inferiority to ESA in Maintaining Hemoglobin\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-11-05T14:04:58+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\\\/index.php\\\/akebia-therapeutics-reports-positive-topline-data-from-vocal-trial-showing-vadadustat-dosed-tiw-met-primary-endpoint-of-non-inferiority-to-esa-in-maintaining-hemoglobin\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":2084,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\\\/index.php\\\/akebia-therapeutics-reports-positive-topline-data-from-vocal-trial-showing-vadadustat-dosed-tiw-met-primary-endpoint-of-non-inferiority-to-esa-in-maintaining-hemoglobin\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.globenewswire.com\\\/newsroom\\\/ti?nf=OTg3MDg4NCM3OTQ3NDYxIzIwMDYzNTU=\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\\\/index.php\\\/akebia-therapeutics-reports-positive-topline-data-from-vocal-trial-showing-vadadustat-dosed-tiw-met-primary-endpoint-of-non-inferiority-to-esa-in-maintaining-hemoglobin\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\\\/index.php\\\/akebia-therapeutics-reports-positive-topline-data-from-vocal-trial-showing-vadadustat-dosed-tiw-met-primary-endpoint-of-non-inferiority-to-esa-in-maintaining-hemoglobin\\\/\",\"name\":\"Akebia Therapeutics Reports Positive Topline Data from VOCAL Trial Showing Vadadustat Dosed TIW Met Primary Endpoint of Non-Inferiority to ESA in Maintaining Hemoglobin - 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