Akebia Therapeutics Heads to ASN Kidney Week With Late-Breaking VOICE Trial Results

Akebia Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: AKBA), a biopharmaceutical company focused on people affected by kidney disease, announced on October 6, 2026 its upcoming presentations at the American Society of Nephrology Kidney Week 2026. The meeting runs October 21 to 25 in Denver. Most notably, U.S. Renal Care will present results from the VOICE trial of Vafseo (vadadustat) as a late-breaking presentation, while Akebia will present several posters on its rare kidney disease pipeline.

The VOICE Trial Takes the Stage

VOICE evaluated the safety of Vafseo dosed three times weekly compared with an erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) in patients receiving in-center hemodialysis. Geoffrey A. Block, M.D., Associate Chief Medical Officer at U.S. Renal Care, will present the results on October 23 from 12:00 to 12:15 p.m. MT.

In June, U.S. Renal Care and Akebia announced that the trial was stopped after a planned interim analysis. The Primary Investigator made that decision on the recommendation of the Independent Data Monitoring Committee and Trial Steering Committee, based on prespecified stopping criteria. According to the companies, the interim analysis showed significantly improved safety outcomes for patients on three-times-weekly Vafseo versus an ESA.

Akebia will also present posters on Vafseo’s clinical and economic outcomes. These include a cost analysis of hospitalizations for vadadustat versus darbepoetin alfa and two comparisons of major adverse cardiovascular events across dosing approaches. Vafseo carries a boxed warning for increased risk of death, myocardial infarction, stroke, venous thromboembolism and thrombosis of vascular access.

A Look at the Rare Kidney Pipeline

Beyond Vafseo, Akebia will present three posters on its rare kidney disease programs. Two focus on praliciguat in focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), covering preclinical research and the design of an ongoing Phase 2 trial. The third covers a Phase 2 basket trial of ebribafusp alfa in complement-mediated kidney diseases.

Ebribafusp is an investigational complement inhibitor designed to act in tissues. In September, Akebia dosed the first patient in the open-label basket trial, which is evaluating the drug in IgA nephropathy, lupus nephritis and C3 glomerulopathy. The company expects initial data in 2027.

Where the Business Stands

In the second quarter, Akebia reported Vafseo net product revenues of $21.3 million, up 34% from the first quarter and up from $13.3 million a year earlier. More than 10,500 patients were active on Vafseo, a 41% increase from the end of the first quarter, and prescribers grew about 17% to approximately 1,200.

Total revenues were $49.1 million, compared with $62.5 million a year earlier, as Auryxia revenues declined amid generic competition and pricing pressure. Akebia reported a net loss of $8.9 million for the quarter and ended June with approximately $155.5 million in cash and cash equivalents. The company said it believes its resources will fund its current operating plan for at least two years.

Strategic Investment Summary

• Late-Breaking Data: Akebia Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: AKBA) partner U.S. Renal Care will present VOICE trial results on October 23 at ASN Kidney Week 2026.
• Interim Outcome: VOICE was stopped in June after an interim analysis showed significantly improved safety outcomes for three-times-weekly Vafseo versus an ESA.
• Pipeline Posters: Akebia will present posters on praliciguat in FSGS and the Phase 2 basket trial of ebribafusp alfa.
• Ebribafusp Timeline: The first patient was dosed in September, with initial data expected in 2027.
• Vafseo Growth: Second-quarter Vafseo revenue reached $21.3 million, with more than 10,500 patients on therapy.
• Cash Position: Akebia held approximately $155.5 million in cash and cash equivalents on June 30.

Find out more about the latest corporate developments and financial reports at the Akebia Therapeutics investor portal.