Zydus Cadila starts phase II trials of molecule targeting anaemia

New Delhi: Drug firm Zydus Cadila on Wednesday announced the initiation of a phase II trial of oral small molecule Zyan1 that has been designed for the treatment of anaemia associated with chronic kidney disease.

Zyan1 has been designed to increase the natural production of hemoglobin and RBCs in anaemic patients, Zydus Cadila said in a statement.

The molecule has the potential to reduce or eliminate the need for iron supplementation, it added.

Commenting on the development, Zydus Cadila Chairman and MD Pankaj Patel said that Zyan1 has the potential to bring about a paradigm shift in the management of patients with anaemia.

The company has seen desired results in the two phase I trials that were conducted in Australia and India. The company "is committed to bring this therapy to millions of patients suffering from anaemia", he added.

Anaemia is a global public health problem affecting both developing and developed countries, the company said.

Anaemia commonly arises in kidney disease patients, because the kidneys no longer produce sufficient amounts of erythropoietin, a hormone which stimulates red blood cell production, it added.

Symptoms of anaemia may include fatigue, skin pallor, shortness of breath, light-headedness, dizziness or a fast heartbeat, Zydus Cadila said.