Amgen will acquire KAI Pharmaceuticals for $315 million to bolster its late-stage pipeline.

The deal, which should be completed within the next month, gives Amgen rights to the firm’s lead drug KAI-4169, which is in mid-stage trials for secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) who are on dialysis. 

SHPT is a component of CKD mineral and bone disorder, and is a common and serious complication for patients who are on dialysis.

The most recent Phase IIa data showed that the drug, which is given intravenously, produced sustained reductions in parathyroid hormone, phosphorus, calcium and FGF-23, all recognised markers of SHPT.

KAI-4169 is a novel peptide agonist of the calcium sensing receptor, which affects calcium homeostasis by controlling the release of the parathyroid hormone.

Amgen said it would now loan KAI the money it needs to take the KAI-4169 programme into Phase III.

Steve James, president and chief executive of South San Francisco-based KAI, said: “KAI and the nephrology community are excited by the additional clinical data we've generated for KAI-4169, and we are thrilled that Amgen shares our perspective on the differentiated profile and potential of this product candidate.”

But Amgen will not gain all global rights - Ono Pharmaceuticals, which already has a $13 million deal with KAI, will retain rights to market the drug in Japan.

Amgen currently markets Sensipar tablets for secondary hyperparathyroidism, which made $808 million last year.

Amgen also sells its blockbuster anti-anemia drugs Aranesp and Epogen, which are used by patients with chronic kidney disease.

But sales of these drugs have slowed in recent years because of safety concerns, and Amgen will be looking to turn this loss around with its new acquisition.

New deals

In the last year Amgen has acquired three biotech companies: the oncology specialist BioVex for around $1 billion, Micromet in a $1.2 billion deal, and now KIA for $315 million.

It also bought Bergamo to expand operations in Brazil last year, and has an agreement with AstraZeneca for early-stage antibodies.

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