AstraZeneca Announces Imfinzi Approval in Japan for ES-SCLC and Partners with Renalytix AI to Advance Precision Medicine in Cardiorenal and Metabolic Diseases

Pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca (AZN.US) announced that its anti-PD-L1 therapy, Imfinzi, has been approved in Japan for the treatment of extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC).

It is reported that the U.S. FDA has accepted a supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) for Imfinzi and granted it priority review. The sBLA pertains to a new 4-week, fixed-dose regimen for Imfinzi.

In addition, the company announced that it will collaborate with Renalytix AI (RNLX.US) to develop and launch precision medicine strategies for cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic diseases.

The first phase of the collaboration will utilize KidneyIntelX, an artificial intelligence-based in vitro diagnostic platform designed to optimize the utilization of chronic kidney disease (CKD) treatment strategies under current standard-of-care protocols.

Based on the study results, the company will also conduct a randomized trial to evaluate the absorption and medication adherence of a new potassium binder in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and hyperkalemia. The results of this trial are expected to be announced in early 2021.