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AstraZeneca PLC on Thursday celebrated results from an observational study, which showed that treating hyperkalaemia with the potassium binder, Lokelma, allows chronic kidney disease and heart failure patients to maintain RAASi therapy. Lokelma is the product name for sodium zirconium cyclosilicate, while RAASi stands for renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitor. According to the Cambridge, England-based pharmaceutical company, the multi-country ZORA study showed that patients treated with Lokelma were ‘substantially more likely’ to maintain guideline-recommended RAASi therapy at six months following a hyperkalaemia episode. This is when compared to patients who were not treated with a potassium binder. Additional analysis showed that the risk of progression to end-stage kidney disease within six months following a hyperkalaemia episode was 73% higher in patients who discontinued RAASi treatment, and 60% higher in patients who down-titrated versus maintained RAASi therapy. ‘These data add to the body of evidence that if hyperkalaemia is not effectively managed, it can lead to worsening cardiovascular and kidney disease outcomes and increased mortality due to down-titration or discontinuation of RAASi,’ said Ruud Dobber, executive vice-president of the BioPharmaceutical Business Unit at AstraZeneca. Dobber added: ‘Lokelma can be a pivotal therapeutic strategy to address this urgent disease burden. At AstraZeneca, we remain committed to working with the cardiorenal community to enable guideline recommended RAASi therapy and achieve more effective cardiorenal protection for patients.’ AstraZeneca shares were down 0.5% at 10,314.00 pence each in London on Friday morning. Copyright 2023 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
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