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Anemia of Chronic Kidney Disease

Hematology
13
Pipeline Programs
11
Companies
38
Clinical Trials
2 recruiting
1
Approved Products

Pipeline by Development Stage

Preclinical
Phase 1
Phase 1/2
Phase 2
Phase 2/3
Phase 3
On Market
0
1
0
1
0
9
2
Early DiscoveryClinical DevelopmentMarket

Drug Modality Breakdown

Small Molecule
4100%
+ 9 programs with unclassified modality

Hematology is a $3.6B market dominated by a single blockbuster (IMBRUVICA at 65% share) with moderate consolidation among 15 companies.

$3.6B marketMature→ Stable30 products15 companies

Key Trends

  • IMBRUVICA monopoly creates revenue concentration risk but sustained peak-cycle performance
  • Multiple patent cliffs 2027-2030 will drive significant biosimilar/generic competition
  • 1,109 active trials signal robust pipeline activity in underexplored indications like myelofibrosis and platelet disorders

Career Verdict

Hematology offers solid commercial and medical affairs opportunities in a stable, high-margin market, but pipeline diversity remains limited outside oncology-adjacent BTK inhibitors.

AI-generated market analysis based on FDA, CMS, ClinicalTrials.gov, and hiring data

Market Leaders

#1IMBRUVICAStable
$2.4B
AbbVie·Peak9.0yr
#2PROMACTADeclining
$558M
Novartis·LOE Approaching1.7yr
#3AURYXIAStable
$183M
Ipsen·Peak4.2yr
#4OXBRYTAGrowing
$101M
Pfizer·Peak11.4yr
#5DOPTELETDeclining
$96M
Unknown·LOE Approaching1.2yr

Drug Class Breakdown

Protein Kinase Inhibitors
$2.4B(65%)

dominates market, stable

TPO-receptor agonists
$654M(18%)

multiple players, patent risk

Iron metabolism modulators
$183M(5%)

niche, CKD-focused

Hemoglobin polymerization inhibitors
$101M(3%)

sickle cell focused, growing

JAK2 inhibitors
$50M(1%)

myeloproliferative neoplasms, early growth

Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents
$60M(2%)

legacy class, biosimilar pressure

Leukocyte growth factors
$68M(2%)

biosimilar-saturated, mature

Career Outlook

Stable

Hematology is a stable, mature therapeutic area with predictable commercial demand but limited innovation upside. The market is defensible by IMBRUVICA (peak through 2035) and near-term patent cliff risks (2027-2030) will create managed-care and payer expertise needs. Long-term career growth depends on successful pipeline diversification beyond BTK inhibitors and late-stage pipeline expansion.

Breaking In

Enter via Clinical Operations or Medical Affairs to build hematology disease knowledge; specialize early in rare indications (ITP, myelofibrosis) where differentiation exists.

For Experienced Professionals

Experienced professionals should target Bristol Myers Squibb, Novartis, or GSK to lead patent-cliff transition strategies and next-generation mechanism adoption (JAK, TPO agonists).

In-Demand Skills

Managed care/payer strategyHematologic malignancy genetics (BTK, JAK2 mutations)TPO-receptor pharmacologyRare disease diagnosis and patient identificationBiosimilar/generic competitive strategyMedical writing for limited indication populations

Best For

Medical Science Liaison (rare disease focus)Brand Manager (specialty hematology)Managed Care DirectorClinical Operations ManagerPayer Strategy AnalystHealth Economics & Outcomes Research (HEOR) specialist

Hiring Landscape

$91K-$204K

Hematology hiring is concentrated in Commercial (24 roles, $201K avg) and Medical Affairs (15 roles, $204K avg) functions, reflecting a mature market focused on market penetration and specialist education. Labcorp, Bristol Myers Squibb, and Regeneron lead hiring, suggesting demand in diagnostics, R&D, and rare disease support. Notably low R&D hiring (7 roles, $147K avg) indicates limited pipeline-driven growth outside established players.

102
Open Roles
5
Companies Hiring
5
Departments

Top Hiring Companies

12Growing
10Growing
9Stable

By Department

Commercial(24%)
$201K
Clinical Operations(18%)
$91K
Medical Affairs(15%)
$204K
Manufacturing(7%)
$175K
R&D(7%)
$147K

Commercial and Medical Affairs roles offer highest compensation and most openings; entry-level clinical operations salaries lag at $91K, while R&D roles are scarce and lower-paid.

On Market (1)

Approved therapies currently available

Akebia Therapeutics
VAFSEOApproved
vadadustat
Akebia Therapeutics
Hypoxia-inducible Factor Prolyl Hydroxylase Inhibitor [EPC]oral2024

Competitive Landscape

11 companies ranked by most advanced pipeline stage

Akebia Therapeutics
Akebia TherapeuticsCAMBRIDGE, MA
2 programs
1
1
1
VAFSEO(vadadustat)Phase 3Small Molecule5 trials
roxadustatPhase 2Small Molecule
Active Trials
NCT07086755Recruiting1,100Est. Jul 2026
NCT06901505Active Not Recruiting353Est. Aug 2026
NCT05082571Withdrawn0Est. Oct 2026
+2 more trials
AstraZeneca
AstraZenecaCAMBRIDGE, United Kingdom
1 program
1
RoxadustatPhase 4Small Molecule1 trial
Active Trials
NCT04655027Completed25Est. Oct 2021
Chong Kun Dang Pharmaceutical
2 programs
2
CKD-11101Phase 31 trial
CKD-11101Phase 31 trial
Active Trials
NCT03428594Completed403Est. Jun 2017
NCT03431623Completed248Est. Aug 2017
Dong-A ST
Dong-A STKorea - Seoul
1 program
1
EPORONPhase 31 trial
Active Trials
NCT03521713Unknown214Est. Mar 2021
Kalbe
KalbeIndonesia - Jakarta
1 program
1
Efepoetin AlfaPhase 3
Genexine
GenexineKorea - Seoul
1 program
1
Efepoetin AlfaPhase 31 trial
Active Trials
NCT06466785Recruiting429Est. Sep 2027
Biocorp
BiocorpFrance - Issoire
1 program
1
Erythropoietin alfaPhase 31 trial
Active Trials
NCT04036253Completed43Est. Aug 2021
Panion & BF Biotech
Panion & BF BiotechTaiwan - Taipei City
1 program
1
Ferric citratePhase 31 trial
Active Trials
NCT04543812Completed141Est. Dec 2022
JW Pharmaceutical
JW PharmaceuticalKorea - Seoul
1 program
1
JTZ-951Phase 31 trial
Active Trials
NCT04027517Completed172Est. Feb 2021
Akros Pharma
Akros PharmaNJ - Princeton
1 program
1
JTZ-951Phase 14 trials
Active Trials
NCT02805244Completed6Est. Sep 2016
NCT02581124Completed10Est. Apr 2016
NCT01978587Completed6Est. Jan 2014
+1 more trials
Parexel
ParexelMA - Boston
1 program
RoxadustatPHASE_4Small Molecule

Trial Timeline

Clinical trial activity over time

2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
2027
AstraZenecaRoxadustat
Akebia Therapeuticsvadadustat
Akebia Therapeuticsvadadustat
Akebia Therapeuticsvadadustat
Akebia Therapeuticsvadadustat
GenexineEfepoetin Alfa
Akebia Therapeuticsvadadustat
Panion & BF BiotechFerric citrate
Akebia Therapeuticsvadadustat
JW PharmaceuticalJTZ-951
BiocorpErythropoietin alfa
Akebia Therapeuticsvadadustat
Akebia Therapeuticsvadadustat
Akebia Therapeuticsvadadustat
Dong-A STEPORON

Showing 15 of 38 trials with date data

Clinical Trials (38)

Total enrollment: 14,773 patients across 38 trials

A Study to Investigate the Effect of Roxadustat Versus Recombinant Human Erythropoietin (rHuEPO) on Oral Iron Absorption in Chinese Patients With Anemia of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

Start: Feb 2021Est. completion: Oct 202125 patients
Phase 4Completed

To Evaluate the Efficacy of Three Times Weekly (TIW) Vadadustat Compared to Standard of Care ESA in Patients With Anemia of CKD Receiving In-Center Hemodialysis

Start: Jul 2025Est. completion: Aug 2026353 patients
Phase 3Active Not Recruiting

Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Oral Vadadustat in Pediatric Participants With Anemia of Chronic Kidney Disease

Start: Jan 2025Est. completion: Oct 20260
Phase 3Withdrawn

Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Oral Vadadustat in Pediatric Participants With Anemia of Chronic Kidney Disease Naive to Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents

Start: Jan 2025Est. completion: Oct 20260
Phase 3Withdrawn

Vafseo Outcomes In-Center Experience

Start: Nov 2024Est. completion: Jun 20262,200 patients
Phase 3Active Not Recruiting
NCT06466785GenexineEfepoetin Alfa

A Phase 3 Study of Efepoetin Alfa for Treatment of Anemia in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease on Dialysis

Start: Jan 2024Est. completion: Sep 2027429 patients
Phase 3Recruiting

Study Evaluating the Efficacy and Safety of Dose Conversion From a Long-acting Erythropoiesis-stimulating Agent (Mircera®) to Three Times Weekly Oral Vadadustat for the Maintenance Treatment of Anemia in Hemodialysis Subjects

Start: Jun 2021Est. completion: Jan 2023456 patients
Phase 3Completed

PBF-1681 (Ferric Citrate) for the Treatment of IDA in Patients With NDD-CKD

Start: Oct 2020Est. completion: Dec 2022141 patients
Phase 3Completed

Trial Evaluating the Efficacy and Safety of Oral Vadadustat Once Daily (QD) and Three Times Weekly (TIW) for the Maintenance Treatment of Anemia in Hemodialysis Subjects Converting From Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents (ESAs)

Start: May 2020Est. completion: Jun 2022319 patients
Phase 3Completed

A Study to Evaluate Efficacy and Safety of JTZ-951 Compared to Darbepoetin Alfa in Korean Renal Anemia Patients Receiving Hemodialysis.

Start: Jan 2019Est. completion: Feb 2021172 patients
Phase 3Completed
NCT04036253BiocorpErythropoietin alfa

Study of HEMAX PFS Versus EPREX/ ERYPO® in Predialysis Chronic Kidney Disease

Start: Feb 2018Est. completion: Aug 202143 patients
Phase 3Completed

Study to Evaluate Three Times Per Week (TIW) Oral Dosing of Vadadustat for Anemia in Subjects With Dialysis-Dependent Chronic Kidney Disease (DD-CKD)

Start: Aug 2017Est. completion: Feb 20180
Phase 3Withdrawn

Efficacy and Safety Study to Evaluate Vadadustat for the Maintenance Treatment of Anemia in Participants With Dialysis-dependent Chronic Kidney Disease (DD-CKD)

Start: Aug 2016Est. completion: Mar 20203,554 patients
Phase 3Completed

Efficacy and Safety Study to Evaluate Vadadustat for the Correction or Maintenance Treatment of Anemia in Participants With Incident Dialysis-dependent Chronic Kidney Disease (DD-CKD)

Start: Jul 2016Est. completion: Mar 2020369 patients
Phase 3Completed

To Evaluate the Efficacy, Safety, and Immunogenicity of Subcutaneous Eporon Versus Epoetin Alfa (Eprex)

Start: Mar 2016Est. completion: Mar 2021214 patients
Phase 3Unknown

Efficacy and Safety Study to Evaluate Vadadustat for the Maintenance Treatment of Anemia in Participants With Non-dialysis-dependent Chronic Kidney Disease (NDD-CKD)

Start: Feb 2016Est. completion: Jul 20201,725 patients
Phase 3Completed

Study to Evaluate Vadadustat for the Correction of Anemia in Participants With Non-dialysis-dependent Chronic Kidney Disease

Start: Dec 2015Est. completion: Jul 20201,751 patients
Phase 3Completed

CKD-11101 Phase 3 IV Study in Patients Who Had Renal Anemia Receiving Hemodialysis

Start: Jun 2015Est. completion: Jun 2017403 patients
Phase 3Completed

CKD-11101 Phase 3 SC Study

Start: May 2015Est. completion: Aug 2017248 patients
Phase 3Completed

Vadadustat for the Treatment of Nonintubated Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Due to Pathogen-Associated Lung Injury

Start: Oct 2025Est. completion: Jul 20261,100 patients
Phase 2/3Recruiting

Vadadustat for the Prevention and Treatment of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) in Hospitalized Patients With Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Start: Aug 2020Est. completion: Mar 2022448 patients
Phase 2Completed

Study of Vadadustat in Hemodialysis Participants With Anemia Switching From Epoetin Alfa

Start: Jan 2019Est. completion: Jul 2020175 patients
Phase 2Completed

Study to Evaluate Vadadustat for Anemia in Subjects With Dialysis-Dependent Chronic Kidney Disease (DD-CKD) Who Are Hyporesponsive to Erythropoiesis Stimulating Agents

Start: May 2017Est. completion: Mar 20182 patients
Phase 2Terminated

Dose-Finding Study of Vadadustat in Japanese Subjects With Anemia Secondary to Dialysis-Dependent Chronic Kidney Disease (DD-CKD)

Start: Dec 2016Est. completion: Jan 201860 patients
Phase 2Completed

Dose-Finding Study of Vadadustat in Japanese Subjects With Anemia Secondary to Non-Dialysis Dependent Chronic Kidney Disease (NDD-CKD)

Start: Oct 2016Est. completion: Aug 201751 patients
Phase 2Completed

Study in Healthy Adult Subjects to Assess the Effect of Phosphate Binders on the Pharmacokinetics of a Single Dose of Vadadustat

Start: Jun 2020Est. completion: Sep 202054 patients
Phase 1Completed

Study to Evaluate the Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics, and Safety of Vadadustat in Hemodialysis Subjects With Anemia Associated With Chronic Kidney Disease

Start: May 2019Est. completion: Jul 202046 patients
Phase 1Completed

Study to Evaluate the Effect of Rabeprazole on the Pharmacokinetics of Vadadustat

Start: Oct 2018Est. completion: Nov 201820 patients
Phase 1Completed

A Study in Evaluating Bioequivalence of Test and Reference Vadadustat 450 MG and 150 MG Tablets and to Determine Food Effect on the 450 MG Tablet

Start: Aug 2018Est. completion: Oct 201854 patients
Phase 1Completed

Drug-Drug Interaction Study of Vadadustat With Cyclosporine, Probenecid and Rifampin

Start: Jul 2018Est. completion: Aug 201840 patients
Phase 1Completed

Drug-Drug Interaction Study of Vadadustat With Digoxin, Adefovir and Furosemide

Start: Jul 2018Est. completion: Sep 201862 patients
Phase 1Completed

Drug-Drug Interaction Study of Vadadustat With Rosuvastatin, Sulfasalazine, Pravastatin, Atorvastatin and Simvastatin

Start: Jun 2018Est. completion: Nov 2018134 patients
Phase 1Completed

A Single Dose Study of Oral Vadadustat in Subjects With Normal and Impaired Hepatic Function

Start: Jun 2018Est. completion: Oct 201824 patients
Phase 1Completed

A Study in Evaluating Bioequivalence Between Test and Reference Formulations of Vadadustat Tablets in Healthy Adults

Start: Apr 2018Est. completion: May 201850 patients
Phase 1Completed

Mass Balance Study of JTZ-951 in Subjects With End-stage Renal Disease on Hemodialysis

Start: Jun 2016Est. completion: Sep 20166 patients
Phase 1Completed

Study to Evaluate Effect of Lapatinib on Pharmacokinetics of JTZ-951 in Subjects With End-stage Renal Disease

Start: Oct 2015Est. completion: Apr 201610 patients
Phase 1Completed

Effect of Hemodialysis on the PK of JTZ-951 in Subjects With End-stage Renal Disease

Start: Oct 2013Est. completion: Jan 20146 patients
Phase 1Completed

Safety, Tolerability, PK & PD Study of JTZ-951 in Anemic Subjects With End-stage Renal Disease

Start: May 2013Est. completion: Jul 201429 patients
Phase 1Completed

Related Jobs in Hematology

Phase Legend

PreclinicalLab & animal studies
Phase 1Safety & dosing
Phase 2Efficacy testing
Phase 3Large-scale trials
On MarketApproved & available

Key Insights

9 late-stage (Phase 3) programs, potential near-term approvals
2 actively recruiting trials targeting 14,773 patients
11 companies competing in this space

The information on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. Drug information is sourced from FDA, DailyMed, and other government databases. Adverse event data from FAERS does not establish causation. Always consult a healthcare professional for medical decisions.