Affymax to continue Phase 3 Hematide program after favorable results

PALO ALTO, Calif.--Affymax, Inc. will continue phase 3 studies of its anemia drug Hematide after the independent Data Monitoring Committee (DMC) found that safety data from two trials support the continuation of the studies.

In the phase 3 programs, Hematide is being evaluated to treat anemia in chronic renal failure patients on dialysis and not on dialysis.

"These are very important reviews by the DMC and we are pleased that the committee has recommended that the trials proceed," Arlene M. Morris, president and chief executive officer of Affymax, said in a statement. "We continue to make progress in enrollment of patients in the four Phase 3 trials and look forward to additional DMC reviews as more data are generated."

The phase 3 program, which consists of four trials, was initiated in October 2007. Recently, Affymax announced that enrollment is complete in PEARL 1, the first of those Phase 3 trials. The company continues to enroll in the other three studies and anticipates completion of enrollment by the end of 2008.