FibroGen, a US-China novel drug company, reported positive results from two China Phase III trials of roxadustat, a treatment for anemia. Roxadustat is a first-in-class, oral small molecule treatment for anemia in chronic kidney disease. In 2013, FibroGen formed a 50/50 joint venture with AstraZeneca to develop roxadustat in China. AstraZeneca paid $28.2 million upfront and agreed to a total of $328.5 million in milestones. FibroGen will manufacture the drug in China through its China subsidiary, while AstraZeneca will be in charge of commercialization.
