Phosphate Binder Wars

From Bioworld Online:

Earlier this month, powerhouse Genzyme Corp. disclosed its launch of Phase III trials with the toxin binder tolevamer for patients with Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea - a compound that derives from the same platform that yielded Renagel, the phosphate binder approved for end-stage renal disease that pulled in $364 million in revenue last year, up 29 percent over 2003.

While the news about tolevamer proved worthy of headlines, Renagel (sevelamer hydrochloride) has been more a focus of interest lately, as the competition between phosphate binders heats up.

The latest player on the field is Fosrenol (lanthanum carbonate), from Shire Pharmaceuticals Group plc, approved by the FDA in October - a move that triggered an $18 million licensing payment to AnorMed Inc., per their agreement.

Fosrenol looks strong. Data reported the same month at the American Society of Nephrology meeting showed treatment for up to five years caused no deterioration in bone health...