Unicycive Therapeutics, Inc. provided an update based on recent interactions with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA or Agency) concerning the Company's New Drug Application (NDA) for lanthanum dioxycarbonate (LDC), previously known as Renazorb. LDC is an investigational new drug being developed for the treatment of hyperphosphatemia in chronic kidney disease patients on dialysis. In preparation for its anticipated NDA filing for LDC, the Company requested a pre-NDA meeting with the FDA to align on the contents of the NDA.

As previously noted, the Agency had requested a 6-month toxicity study in mice comparing LDC and lanthanum carbonate (LC), the drug substance in Fosrenol, the Reference Listed Drug for the 505(b)(2) regulatory pathway. However, upon review of the study report, the Agency pointed out that although the GI adverse findings observed with LDC are qualitatively similar to lanthanum carbonate, there were quantitative differences. Based on the review of this information, the FDA has asked the Company to provide additional information, including risk assessment and clinical data, to evaluate the tolerability of LDC in patients with chronic kidney disease on dialysis.

The Company requested a follow-up meeting with the FDA to discuss its additional requests. Unicycive is seeking FDA approval of LDC via the 505(b)(2). As part of the clinical development program, two clinical studies were conducted in over 100 healthy volunteers.

The global market opportunity for treating hyperphosphatemia is projected to be in excess of $2.5 billion in 2023, with the United States accounting for more than $1 billion of that total. Despite the availability of several FDA-cleared medications, 75% of U.S. dialysis patients fail to achieve the target phosphorus levels recommended by published medical guidelines.