AstraZeneca closed the definitive agreement to acquire the California-based biopharmaceutical company ZS Pharma. AstraZeneca will access ZS Pharma’s proprietary ion-trap technology, used to develop novel treatments for hyperkalaemia, a serious condition typically associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and chronic heart failure (CHF).
AstraZeneca gains access to the potassium-binding compound ZS-9, a potential best-in-class treatment for hyperkalaemia. ZS-9 is under regulatory review by the US Food and Drug Administration with a Prescription Drug User Fee Act goal date of 26 May 2016. A submission for European Marketing Application Authorisation is planned by the end of 2015. Current estimates for global peak year sales of ZS-9 exceed $1 billion.