Akebia Regains Rights to Vafseo, Sets New Price

Akebia Therapeutics announced two major updates regarding the commercial launch of its drug Vafseo (vadadustat) for anemia related to chronic kidney disease.

Firstly, the drug maker has terminated its license agreement with CSL Vifor for the drug and has regained full rights to sell Vafseo directly to dialysis organizations in the United States. “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,” said John P. Butler, chief executive officer of Akebia.

Secondly, Akebia announced wholesale acquisition cost (WAC) pricing for Vafseo, which has been set at $1278 for a 30-day supply at the minimum starting dose, or approximately $15,500 per year. Vafseo was approved in March for use in patients on dialysis only. However, the WAC pricing accounts for a potential label expansion into nondialysis patients. All dialysis business will be contracted, and off-invoice discounts and volume-tier discounts will be available.

Akebia submitted a Transitional Drug Add-On Payment Adjustment (TDAPA) application for Vafseo in June. The company expects to have Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System codes assigned in October 2024 and full TDAPA designation by January 1, 2025.