Akebia Therapeutics Establishes Rare Kidney Disease Pipeline With AKB-097 Acquisition From Q32 Bio And Praliciguat Candidate

Acquires next generation tissue-targeted C3d-Factor H fusion protein complement inhibitor from Q32 Bio

Phase 2 basket trial planned to evaluate complement inhibitor in multiple rare kidney disease indications

Phase 2 trial of Praliciguat, an sGC stimulator, initiated in focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS)

Both trials planned to start treating subjects in 2026

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Dec. 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Akebia Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:AKBA), a biopharmaceutical company with the purpose to better the lives of people impacted by kidney disease, today announced the establishment of its rare kidney disease pipeline. The pipeline is comprised of two core product candidates: ADX-097, a potential next generation complement inhibitor (now referred to as AKB-097) and praliciguat, a soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulator. Akebia acquired all rights to AKB-097, a tissue-targeted C3d-Factor H fusion protein complement inhibitor, from Q32 Bio Inc. (NASDAQ:QTTB) and believes AKB-097 has applicability across a wide range of complement-mediated rare kidney diseases. AKB-097 is targeted to the sites of complement activation in tissues and is not expected to result in systemic complement inhibition seen with other inhibitors.

Financial Terms of Asset Purchase Agreement

On November 28, 2025, Akebia and Q32 Bio signed an Asset Purchase Agreement (APA) under which Akebia acquired global rights to Q32 Bio's ADX-097 (now referred to as AKB-097). In consideration, Akebia paid Q32 Bio an upfront payment of $7.0 million. Akebia will also make a $3.0 million payment upon the six-month anniversary of the closing, as well as additional development and regulatory milestones, commercial milestones and tiered royalties on annual net sales of AKB-097.