Akizawa T, et al. - In two long-term extension studies, researchers assessed molidustat's (a novel hypoxia-inducible factor-prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor) efficacy and safety in treating patients with anemia associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Both studies were parallel-group, open-label, multicenter studies and run for ≤36 months’ duration. As active control, an erythropoiesis-stimulating agent was used. A total of 164 patients not receiving dialysis were included in one study and the other one comprised 88 patients receiving hemodialysis. Efficacy was determined by assessing change in blood hemoglobin (Hb) level from baseline to each post-baseline visit and safety was evaluated by reporting adverse events (AEs). Findings revealed good tolerability of molidustat for up to 36 months as well as its efficacy as a substitute to darbepoetin and epoetin in the long-term management of anemia related to CKD.