Kidneys are responsible for 90% of the EPO produced in our bodies. CKD-induced anemia is caused by the failure to produce EPO (erythropoietin) due to long-term decreased kidney function. GX-E4 is a long-acting EPO formulation that dramatically increases the half-life of EPO in the body by utilizing hyFc, Genexine's proprietary long-acting platform technology.

In 2020, through its partnership with KG Bio in Indonesia, Genexine started phase 3 clinical trials for patients with non-dialysis chronic kidney disease in seven countries in Asia and Oceania. In this clinical trial, 391 adult patients in chronic kidney disease stages 3 and 4 who are naïve ESA (Erythropoiesis Stimulating Agent) or have not received ESA for at least 12 weeks prior to participating in this clinical trial were administered GX-E4 every 2 weeks and later 4 weeks (in an extension period) through an active control, randomized, open-label trial. It is aimed to confirm non-inferiority by administering and comparing with Roche's Mircera, a third-generation long-acting anemia treatment.

According to the interim results presented by KG Bio at the WCN, the response rate of GX-E4 administered every 2 weeks was 69.6% and the hemoglobin level was maintained at 91.2%, while Mircera maintained the response rate at 63.2% and the hemoglobin level at 87.2% during the same period. In addition, during the evaluation period, the hemoglobin level change value was 1.58 g/dL per month, which conformed to the recommended standard of 1.0 to 2.0 g/dL per month of the KDIGO (Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcome) guideline of the International Society for Nephrology. Equivalent safety performance was also confirmed compared to Mircera.

“We are highly excited about the result KG Bio is sharing. This clinical trial is an opportunity to once again prove the global competitiveness of GX-E4, developed through Genexine's proprietary hyFc platform technology.” Genexine’s CEO Neil Warma said, “We will continue to challenge the global market by further expanding labels for dialysis patients as well as the non-dialysis market together with our partner KG Bio.”

Genexine and KG Bio are currently planning to complete multinational phase 3 clinical trials within the year and begin the official BLA application process starting with Indonesia, followed by applications in Korea and ASEAN markets.