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The FDA has granted marketing approval of Genzyme’s sevelamer carbonate (Renvela) for the control of serum phosphorus in patients with chronic kidney disease drug on dialysis.
Renvela is considered to be an improved version of Renagel (sevelamer HCl), a common phosphate binder.
Like Renagel, Renvela is free of calcium and metals, and it has the added benefit of a carbonate buffer. It will initially be available as an 800-mg tablet.
Genzyme expects to launch Renvela for dialysis patients in the U.S. in early 2008. Renagel will continue to be available, with the long-term goal of switching patients to Renvela.
(Source: Genzyme, October 22, 2007;
