Zyrop (recombinant human erythropoietin biosimilar) / Zydus Lifesciences - LARVOL DELTA

A Phase IIa, Double Blind, Randomized, Placebo Controlled, Parallel, Multicentre, Proof-of-Concept Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Desidustat Oral Tablet for Treatment of Sickle Cell Disease. (PubMed, Eur J Haematol) - "Desidustat was well tolerated, with the 150 mg dose showing promising improvements in hemoglobin levels and response rates in SCD patients."

Journal • P2a data • Genetic Disorders • Hematological Disorders • Immunology • Infectious Disease • Pain • Sickle Cell Disease

ISS2.2: Leading the Shift in CKD Anemia Care: Spotlight on HIF-PHIs (ERA 2026) - "This has led to the development of HIF prolyl-hydroxylase inhibitors (HIF-PHIs), a novel class of agents that stimulate endogenous erythropoietin production, suppress hepcidin, enhance iron utilization, lower LDL-cholesterol, and offer the convenience of oral administration. Emerging evidence also points toward its potential utility in indications beyond CKD anemia. This symposium will provide a comprehensive review of the evolving role of HIF-PHIs—particularly Desidustat—in optimizing anemia management in CKD and ESRD, enriched with real-world insights from clinical practice across India."

Anemia • Cardiovascular • Chronic Kidney Disease • Hematological Disorders • Nephrology • Renal Disease

Study protocol for a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of desidustat oral tablet in sickle cell disease: a phase IIa proof-of-concept evaluation. (PubMed, Trials) - "Management of sickle cell disease (SCD) has limited treatment modalities available like hydroxyurea and blood transfusions. They offer benefits but their limitations underscore the ongoing need for safer, more effective, and accessible treatments. This proof-of-concept trial was conducted to investigate the efficacy and safety of desidustat oral tablet, 3 times per week for 8 weeks in SCD patients. Results from this trial could aid in establishing a cost-efficient therapeutic option for managing rare diseases like SCD."

Clinical • Journal • P2a data • Genetic Disorders • Hematological Disorders • Rare Diseases • Sickle Cell Disease

ISS2.4 New ERA for Managing CKD Anemia: Focus on HIF-PHIs (ERA 2025) - "The pathophysiological mechanisms involved in the anemia of CKD are diverse however a relative decrease in erythropoietin (EPO) production and absolute and/or functional iron deficiency are most commonly implicated in the disease...In recent times, the optimal CKD management has evolved with the advent of HIF-PHIs.In India, currently, Desidustat is the only HIF-PHI marketed and available for clinical usage...Several real-world studies have been published highlighting the utility of HIF Stabilizers for anemia of CKD and identifying the most suitable patient profiles. Newer evidence also suggests a possible role of this new class of drugs beyond anemia of CKDThis symposium reviews the evolving role of CKD anemia management in the era of HIF PHIs with Real-World Experience from India."

Anemia • Cardiovascular • Chronic Kidney Disease • Hematological Disorders • Nephrology • Renal Disease

HIF-Prolyl Hydroxylase Inhibitor Desidustat Increases Pyruvate Kinase Activity and Reduces Oxidative Stress in Red Blood Cells, Causes Erythrocytosis in Thalassaemic Mice, and Reduces Sickling in Sickle Cell Patient's Blood. (PubMed, Drug Dev Res) - "Bone marrow transplants or blood transfusion are frequently employed as treatment for these diseases, and erythropoietin analogues are sometimes used to boost erythropoiesis to compensate the destruction of RBCs. Desidustat treatment increased pyruvate kinase activity in RBCs of human, mice, and rats in a dose-dependent manner, and reduced sickling in SCD patients' RBCs. These data indicate that desidustat stimulates pyruvate kinase and attenuates oxidative stress in red blood cells, causes erythrocytosis in thalassemic mice, and reduces sickling in sickle cell patient's blood."

Journal • Preclinical • Beta-Thalassemia • Bone Marrow Transplantation • Genetic Disorders • Hematological Disorders • Pain • Sickle Cell Disease • Transplantation

Inhibition of alternative complement system and prolyl hydroxylase ameliorates anaemia of inflammation. (PubMed, Inflammopharmacology) - "Persistent inflammation causes kidney injury, leading to reduced erythropoietin release and functional iron deficiency, causing anaemia. Effect of desidustat alone was prominent on iron (serum and tissue) and hepcidin. Thus, combination of iptacopan and desidustat can be a potentially useful therapeutic option for treatment of anaemia of inflammation."

Journal • Anemia • Hematological Disorders • Inflammation • Renal Disease

Desidustat: First Approval. (PubMed, Drugs) - "Desidustat inhibits prolyl hydroxylase domain enzymes, resulting in the stabilisation of hypoxia-inducible factor which stimulates erythropoietin production and erythropoiesis. Desidustat is in clinical development in China for the treatment of anaemia in patients with CKD, in Mexico for the management of COVID-2019 infections and in the USA for the treatment of chemotherapy induced anaemia. This article summarizes the milestones in the development of desidustat leading to this first approval for anaemia associated with CKD."

Journal • Review • Chronic Kidney Disease • Hematological Disorders • Infectious Disease • Nephrology • Novel Coronavirus Disease • Renal Disease

Prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor desidustat improves anemia in erythropoietin hyporesponsive state. (PubMed, Curr Res Pharmacol Drug Discov) - "Sprague Dawley rats were made anemic by cisplatin (5 ​mg/kg, IP, single dose) and turpentine oil (5 ​mL/kg, SC, once a week). Desidustat also maintained normal hemoglobin levels after cessation of rhEPO treatment. Thus, novel prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor desidustat can treat EPO resistance via improved iron utilization and decreased inflammation."

Journal • Anemia • Chronic Kidney Disease • Hematological Disorders • Immunology • Inflammation • Nephrology • Renal Disease • IL1B • IL6