Akebia Therapeutics Provides Update on Continued Momentum of Commercial Launch of Vafseo® (vadadustat) Tablets

Rhea-AI Summary

Akebia Therapeutics has announced significant updates for the commercial launch of Vafseo® (vadadustat) Tablets. Following a termination agreement with CSL Vifor, Akebia now holds full rights to sell Vafseo in the U.S. The Wholesale Acquisition Cost (WAC) has been set at $1,278 for a 30-day supply. Akebia has submitted a TDAPA application for Vafseo, anticipating designation by January 1, 2025. The company aims to finalize contracts with dialysis providers covering the majority of eligible patients by the end of 2024. Additionally, Akebia will host a conference call on July 11, 2024, at 8:00 a.m. ET to discuss these updates.

Positive

• Akebia regained full rights to sell Vafseo in the U.S., enhancing control over sales and distribution.
• Vafseo's Wholesale Acquisition Cost (WAC) set at $1,278 for a 30-day supply provides a clear pricing structure.
• Akebia expects to gain TDAPA designation by January 1, 2025, potentially boosting reimbursements.
• Finalizing contracts with dialysis providers by the end of 2024 could secure substantial market share.

Negative

• Obligation for Akebia to make quarterly tiered royalty payments to CSL Vifor, ranging from high single-digit to mid-single digits, which may impact profitability.
• Potential financial burden of the one-time payment to CSL Vifor starting July 1, 2027, to reduce royalty payments.

Insights

Financial Analyst

Akebia's termination agreement with CSL Vifor simplifies operational execution and improves economics. This move allows Akebia to regain full rights to sell Vafseo in the U.S., enabling them to contract directly with dialysis organizations. The royalty structure, which includes tiered royalties and the option to buy down from 2027, is critical to understand. This structure will influence Akebia's profitability based on sales performance. For retail investors, the immediate control over sales and the subsequent potential reduction in royalty percentages could mean a more streamlined and potentially profitable operation in the long term. However, the initial royalty payments, even at single-digit percentages, could impact near-term profitability.

The Wholesale Acquisition Cost (WAC) pricing of $1,278 for a 30-day supply reflects both the dialysis and potential non-dialysis markets. This pricing strategy indicates that Akebia is positioning Vafseo to compete effectively in both segments. The planned discounts and volume tier discounts further suggest aggressive market penetration strategies aimed at driving adoption. Investors should note that while the high WAC pricing sets a strong revenue potential, it needs to be balanced against the competitive landscape and insurance reimbursement scenarios.

Finally, the TDAPA application submission is a critical milestone. If approved, the TDAPA period starting January 2025 would provide additional financial flexibility by adjusting payment structures, potentially aiding in the drug's adoption and revenue generation during this two-year period. Investors need to keep an eye on this development as it can significantly impact short-term revenue dynamics.

Market Research Analyst

Akebia's move to regain U.S. sales rights for Vafseo marks a significant strategic shift. By bringing sales operations in-house, Akebia is set to streamline its revenue channels and potentially enhance market responsiveness. This strategic shift is likely aimed at reducing operational complexities and improving market penetration efficiency. The key aspect for investors here is the ability of Akebia's established renal sales and medical teams to drive prescriber demand. This internal control could lead to better-targeted marketing and sales strategies, enhancing overall market share in the competitive renal medication market.

Vafseo's pricing strategy at $1,278 for a 30-day supply is noteworthy. This pricing not only reflects its value proposition but also hints at its target market and competitive positioning. For investors, it's critical to consider how this pricing aligns with market expectations, competitive pricing and payer coverage dynamics. The planned off-invoice and volume tier discounts suggest a well-thought-out approach to gain market traction and foster long-term customer relationships.

Another focal point is the potential impact of the TDAPA designation. If approved, the TDAPA period starting in 2025 could significantly enhance Vafseo's market adoption, offering temporary financial relief to dialysis centers adopting the drug. This could accelerate Vafseo's uptake and establish a strong market base, which is important for sustaining long-term revenue growth.

• Akebia regains full rights to sell Vafseo® (vadadustat) Tablets in the U.S. following the execution of a royalty-based termination agreement with CSL Vifor to simplify operational execution and improve economics
• Announced Vafseo WAC pricing of $1,278 for a 30-day supply
• Submitted TDAPA application for Vafseo in June 2024 and expects designation on January 1, 2025

Akebia to host investor conference call at 8:00 a.m. ET on July 11, 2024

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., July 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Akebia Therapeutics^®, Inc. (Nasdaq: AKBA), a biopharmaceutical company with the purpose to better the lives of people impacted by kidney disease, today announced key updates pertaining to the commercial launch of Vafseo® (vadadustat) Tablets. Akebia will host an investor conference call at 8:00 a.m. ET on Thursday, July 11, 2024.

"Since Vafseo approval in late March, our team has worked diligently on commercial launch activities to drive prescriber demand with the goal to optimize Vafseo's revenue ramp during the two-year Transitional Drug Add-on Payment Adjustment (TDAPA) period expected to begin in January 2025 and beyond," said John P. Butler, Chief Executive Officer of Akebia. "This is a multi-faceted endeavor, and today I am excited to share progress made on multiple fronts. First, we have established a wholesale acquisition cost (WAC) that reflects the value of Vafseo in both the dialysis and, if approved, non-dialysis populations. Additionally, contracting effectively with dialysis organizations is critical to a successful launch. To help facilitate the contracting process, as well as simplify the operational management of the product, we have agreed with CSL Vifor to terminate the existing license, resulting in Akebia regaining rights to sell Vafseo to Fresenius Kidney Care dialysis centers and specific other third-party dialysis organizations in the U.S. In addition, we have made significant progress in contract discussions with dialysis organizations for both Auryxia and Vafseo. Having now executed this agreement with CSL Vifor, we can accelerate contracting discussions and expect to have contracts in place with dialysis providers treating the vast majority of eligible Vafseo patients before January 2025. I want to thank our colleagues at CSL Vifor for their collaboration over the past years, and I look forward to continuing to work with them under this new relationship."

Vafseo Commercial Launch Updates:

CSL Vifor Agreement: Akebia and CSL Vifor have entered into a termination agreement of the license agreement providing for the payment of royalties by Akebia to CSL Vifor on Vafseo U.S. net product sales. As a result, Akebia regained full rights to sell Vafseo in the U.S. and is able to contract directly with all dialysis organizations effective immediately. Akebia believes its existing and well-established renal sales and medical affairs teams are equipped to drive prescriber demand and enable dialysis organization contracting. Under the terms of the agreement, CSL Vifor is entitled to quarterly tiered royalty payments ranging from a high single-digit percentage on annual net sales up to $450 million to a mid-single digit percentage on annual net sales above $450 million. Akebia has the opportunity to buy down the royalty agreement beginning on July 1, 2027 with a one-time payment to CSL Vifor, which would decrease the royalty payments to a mid-single digit percentage of Akebia's annual net sales of Vafseo up to $450 million and eliminate the royalty payment on annual net sales above $450 million. 

TDAPA Submission: In June, Akebia submitted its TDAPA application. Akebia expects to have Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) codes assigned in October 2024 and full TDAPA designation by January 1, 2025.

Vafseo Pricing: Vafseo WAC has been set at $1,278 for a 30-day supply at the minimum starting dose, or approximately $15,500 per year. The entire dialysis business will be a contracted business, offering an off-invoice discount as well as volume tier discounts off this WAC price. The potential label expansion into non-dialysis patients was an important factor in determining the WAC pricing for Vafseo.

Conference Call Information 
Akebia will host a conference call on Thursday, July 11, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss Vafseo commercial updates. To access the call, please register by clicking on this Registration Link, and you will be provided with dial in details. To avoid delays and ensure timely connection, we encourage dialing into the conference call 15 minutes ahead of the scheduled start time.

A live webcast of the conference call will be available via the "Investors" section of Akebia's website at: https://ir.akebia.com/. An online archive of the webcast can be accessed via the Investors section of Akebia's website at https://ir.akebia.com approximately two hours after the event.

About Akebia Therapeutics
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 Cambridge, Massachusetts. For more information, please visit our website at www.akebia.com, which does not form a part of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this press release regarding Akebia Therapeutics, Inc.'s ("Akebia's") 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, statements regarding: Akebia's updates pertaining to the commercial launch of Vafseo (vadadustat) Tablets, including that commercial launch activities will drive prescriber demand or optimize Vafseo's revenue ramp during the two-year TDAPA period beginning in January 2025 and beyond, and that the WAC price reflects the value of Vafseo in both the dialysis and, if approved, non-dialysis populations; Akebia's significant progress in contract discussions with dialysis organizations for both Auryxia and Vafseo, including Akebia's expectations for timing to have contracts in place with dialysis providers treating the vast majority of eligible [Vafseo] patients; the execution of a royalty-based termination agreement with CSL Vifor to simplify operational execution, improve economics and facilitate the contracting process, including beliefs that Akebia's existing and well-established renal sales and medical affairs teams are equipped to drive prescriber demand and enable dialysis organization contracting; Akebia's expectations for timing to have HCPCS codes and full TDAPA designation; and Akebia's potential label expansion of Vafseo into non-dialysis patients. The terms "intend," "believe," "plan," "goal," "potential," "anticipate, "estimate," "expect," "future," "will," "continue," 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 implementation of the provisions of the termination agreement with CSL Vifor, including the ability of Akebia to successfully contract with dialysis organizations; whether Vafseo will be commercially available when expected; the potential demand and market potential and acceptance of, as well as coverage and reimbursement related to, Auryxia® and Vafseo, including estimates regarding the potential market opportunity; the competitive landscape for Auryxia and Vafseo, including potential generic entrants; the ability of Akebia to attract and retain qualified personnel; Akebia's ability to implement cost avoidance measures and reduce operating expenses; decisions made by health authorities, such as the FDA, with respect to regulatory filings; the potential therapeutic benefits, safety profile, and effectiveness of Vafseo; the results of preclinical and clinical research; the direct or indirect impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the markets and communities in which Akebia and its partners, collaborators, vendors and customers operate; manufacturing, supply chain and quality matters and any recalls, write-downs, impairments or other related consequences or potential consequences; and early termination of any of Akebia's collaborations. Other risks and uncertainties include those identified under the heading "Risk Factors" in Akebia's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, and other filings that Akebia may make with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission 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.

Akebia Therapeutics®, Auryxia® and Vafseo® are registered trademarks of Akebia Therapeutics, Inc. and its affiliates.

Akebia Therapeutics Contact
Mercedes Carrasco
mcarrasco@akebia.com

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SOURCE Akebia Therapeutics, Inc.

FAQ

What are the key updates in Akebia's commercial launch of Vafseo (AKBA)?

Akebia regained full rights to sell Vafseo in the U.S., set WAC at $1,278 for a 30-day supply, and submitted a TDAPA application with expected designation by January 1, 2025.

How much does Vafseo (AKBA) cost?

The Wholesale Acquisition Cost (WAC) for Vafseo is set at $1,278 for a 30-day supply.

When will Akebia (AKBA) receive TDAPA designation for Vafseo?

Akebia expects TDAPA designation for Vafseo by January 1, 2025.

What are the financial implications of Akebia's agreement with CSL Vifor for Vafseo (AKBA)?

Akebia must make quarterly tiered royalty payments to CSL Vifor, with an option to buy down the royalty agreement beginning July 1, 2027.

When is Akebia (AKBA) hosting the investor conference call about Vafseo?

Akebia is hosting an investor conference call on July 11, 2024, at 8:00 a.m. ET.