Please select the eligibility criteria that correspond to the clinical trial below.
Title: A Phase 3, Multicenter, Multi-country, Open-label, Randomized, Active-controlled Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Desidustat Versus Darbepoetin for the Treatment of Anemia in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Who Are Not on Dialysis
Brief Summary: This is a phase III, multicenter, multi-country, open-label, randomized, active-controlled clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Desidustat versus Darbepoetin for the treatment of anemia in patients with CKD who are not on dialysis. The study will be conducted over a period of up to 30 weeks.


Options:
A: Inclusion Criteria:

* - Subjects are eligible if they meet all of the inclusion criteria below:
* General criteria
* Age: \>=18 years of age. (Week -4 verification only)
* Gender: Female and male subjects. (Week -4 verification only) Females: If of childbearing potential, must agree to use one of the approved contraception methods, from Screening until completion of the Follow-up Visit OR of non-childbearing potential defined as pre-menopausal females with a documented tubal ligation, hysterectomy, or oophorectomy; or postmenopausal defined as 12 months of spontaneous amenorrhea \[in questionable cases a blood sample with simultaneous follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) 23.0-116.3 International units per liter (IU/L) and estradiol \<=10 picomole per liter (pmol/L) is confirmatory\]. Females on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) whose menopausal status is in doubt will be required to use one of the approved contraception methods if they wish to continue their HRT during the study. Otherwise they must discontinue HRT to allow confirmation of post-menopausal status prior to study enrolment. For most forms of HRT, at least 2 weeks must elapse between the cessation of therapy and the blood draw; this interval depends on the type and dosage of HRT. Following confirmation of their post-menopausal status, they can resume use of HRT during the study without use of a contraceptive method;
* Q-T Interval Corrected for Heart Rate (QTc): Bazett's Correction of QT Interval (QTcB) \<470 millisecond (msec) or QTcB \<480 msec in subjects with bundle branch block. There is no QTc inclusion criterion for a subject with a predominantly paced rhythm.
* CKD-related criteria
* Dialysis frequency: On hemodialysis (HD) three to five times weekly for at least 4 weeks prior to Week -4 Screening through Week 4. NOTE: Combination methods including hemofiltration (HF) or ultrafiltration (UF) with HD are allowed. However, the type of dialysis (HD, hemodiafiltration (HDF) or UF) should not change during the study.
* Dialysis adequacy: A single-pool dialyzer clearance multiplied by dialyzer time divided by volume of distribution of urea (Kt/Vurea) of \>=1.2 based on a historical value obtained within the prior month in order to ensure the adequacy of dialysis. If Kt/Vurea is not available, then an average of the last 2 values of urea reduction ratio (URR) of at least 65%. NOTE: Only needs confirming at Week -4.
* Hemoglobin: Baseline Hgb of 9.0-11.5 g/dL (may rescreen in a minimum of 2 weeks).
* Stable rhEPO dose: Using the same rhEPO (epoetins or their biosimilars, or darbepoetin) with total weekly doses varying by no more than 50% during the 4 weeks prior to Week -4. At Day 1 (randomization), confirm that total weekly doses varied by no more than 50% during the screening period.
* Iron replacement therapy: Subjects may be on stable maintenance oral or IV (\<=100 mg/week) iron supplementation. If subjects are on oral or IV iron, then doses must be stable for the 4 weeks prior to Week -4, during the screening phase, and through the first 4 weeks after Randomization.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Subjects are not eligible if they meet any of the exclusion criteria below:
* CKD-related criteria
* Dialysis modality: Planned change from HD to peritoneal dialysis within the study time period.
* Renal transplant: Pre-emptive or scheduled renal transplant.
* High rhEPO dose: An epoetin dose of \>=360 IU/Kg/Week IV or \>=250 IU/kg/week subcutaneous (SC) or darbepoetin dose of \>=1.8 microgram (µg)/Kg/Week IV or SC within the prior 8 weeks through Day 1 (randomization).
* Use of methoxy polyethylene glycol epoetin beta within the prior 8 weeks through Day 1 (randomization).
* Laboratory test-based criteria (Week -4 verification only)
* Vitamin B12: At or below the lower limit of the reference range (may rescreen in a minimum of 8 weeks).
* Folate: \<2.0 nanogram (ng)/mL (\<4.5 nanomole (nmol)/L) (may rescreen in a minimum of 4 weeks).
* Ferritin: \<100 ng/mL (\<100 Micrograms per liter).
* Transferrin saturation (TSAT): Outside of the reference range.
* Cardiovascular disease-related criteria
* Myocardial infarction or acute coronary syndrome: Within the 8 weeks prior to Screening through Day 1 (randomization).
* Stroke or transient ischemic attack: Within the 8 weeks prior to Week -4 Screening through Day 1 (randomization).
* Heart failure: Class III/IV heart failure, as defined by the New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classification system diagnosed prior to Week -4 Screening through Day 1 (randomization); Symptomatic right heart failure diagnosed prior to Week -4 Screening through Day 1 (randomization).
* Hypertension: Defined using pre-dialysis vitals (Week -4, Day 1) of diastolic blood pressure (DBP) \>100 millimeters of mercury (mmHg) or systolic blood pressure (SBP) \>170 mmHg.
* Thrombotic disease: History of thrombotic disease (e.g., venous thrombosis such as deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, or arterial thrombosis such as new onset or worsening limb ischemia requiring intervention), except vascular access thrombosis, within the 8 weeks prior to Week -4 Screening through Day 1 (randomization).
* Other disease-related criteria
* Ophthalmology disease: Meeting any ophthalmologic-related exclusion criteria determined at the Screening ophthalmology exam.
* Inflammatory disease: Active chronic inflammatory disease that could impact erythropoiesis (e.g., scleroderma, systemic lupus erythematosis, rheumatoid arthritis, celiac disease) diagnosed prior to Week -4 Screening through Day 1 (randomization).
* Hematological disease: Any hematological disease including those affecting platelets, white or red blood cells (e.g. sickle cell anemia, myelodysplastic syndromes, hematological malignancy, myeloma, hemolytic anemia and thalassemia), coagulation disorders (e.g., antiphospholipid syndrome, Protein C or S deficiency), or any other cause of anemia other than renal disease diagnosed prior to Week -4 Screening through Day 1 (randomization).
* Liver disease: Current liver disease, known hepatic or biliary abnormalities (with the exception of Gilbert's syndrome or asymptomatic gallstones) or evidence at Screening of abnormal liver function tests \[alanine transaminase (ALT) or aspartate transaminase (AST) \> 2.0 x upper limit of normal (ULN) or total bilirubin \> 1.5 x ULN\]; or other hepatic abnormalities that in the opinion of the investigator would preclude the subject from participation in the study. NOTE: Those with Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C are eligible provided these exclusions are not met.
* Major surgery: Major surgery (excluding vascular access surgery) within the prior 8 weeks, during the Week -4 Screening phase or planned during the study.
* Transfusion: Blood transfusion within the prior 8 weeks, during the Week -4 Screening phase or an anticipated need for blood transfusion during the study.
* GI Bleeding: Evidence of actively bleeding peptic, duodenal, or esophageal ulcer disease OR clinically significant GI bleeding within the 8 weeks prior to Week -4 Screening through Day 1 (randomization).
* Acute infection: Clinical evidence of acute infection or history of infection requiring intravenous (IV) antibiotic therapy within the 8 weeks prior to Week -4 Screening through Day 1 (randomization). NOTE: IV antibiotics as prophylaxis are allowed.
* Malignancy: Subjects with a history of malignancy within the prior 5 years, who receiving treatment for cancer, or who have a strong family history of cancer (e.g., familial cancer disorders); with the exception of squamous cell or basal cell carcinoma of the skin that has been definitively treated prior to Week -4 Screening through Day 1 (randomization).
* Concomitant medication and other Investigational Product-related criteria
* Severe allergic reactions: History of severe allergic or anaphylactic reactions or hypersensitivity to excipients in the investigational product.
* Drugs and supplements: Use of any prescription or non-prescription drugs or dietary supplements that are prohibited from Week -4 Screening until the Follow-up Visit.
* Prior investigational product exposure: The Subject has participated in a clinical trial and has received an experimental investigational product within the prior 30 days from Week -4 Screening through Day 1 (randomization).
* General health-related criteria
* Other Conditions: Any other condition, clinical or laboratory abnormality, or examination finding that the Investigator considers would put the subject at unacceptable risk.
* Pregnancy or Lactation: Pregnant females as determined by positive serum human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) test OR women who are lactating at Week -4 Screening or during the trial.
* Other Eligibility Criteria Considerations
* Laboratory eligibility criteria will be assessed according to the central laboratory results for the screening samples.
* Subjects who fail screening may be rescreened as soon as the investigator feels they may have become eligible. However, an individual subject may not rescreen more than twice. There is no predetermined amount of time that the investigator needs to wait to rescreen a previously ineligible subject, except those excluded for Hgb or folate who may only rescreen in 2 and 4 weeks, respectively, and those excluded for Vitamin B12 who may rescreen in 8 weeks
B: Inclusion Criteria:

1. Current clinical diagnosis of anemia due to CKD, baseline hemoglobin concentrations must be 7.0-10.0 g/dL (both inclusive) before the enrollment.
2. Ability to understand and give informed consent for participation.
3. Male or female patients diagnosed with CKD (stage III to V, not receiving dialysis) defined by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) using the CKD Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) formula.
4. Male or female, 18 to 80 years of age.
5. Body weight \> 40 kg.
6. Subjects not on dialysis and not expected to start dialysis during the study period.
7. Patients must not be treated with erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) therapy within 6 weeks prior to enrollment.
8. Estimated GFR ≥10 mL/min/1.73 m2.
9. Serum ferritin ≥100 ng/mL and/or Transferrin Saturation \>20%.
10. No iron, folate or Vitamin B12 deficiency.
11. Females of childbearing potential, must agree to use one of the approved contraception methods, from screening until completion of the follow-up visit.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Prior chronic hemodialysis or chronic peritoneal dialysis treatment.
2. Intravenous iron within 14 days prior to enrollment.
3. Prior exposure of rhEPO analogues less than 04 weeks.
4. Red blood cell transfusion within 8 weeks prior to enrollment.
5. History of previous or concurrent cancer.
6. Serologic status reflecting active hepatitis B or C infection or Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.
7. Active infection prior to enrollment.
8. History of renal transplant.
9. Major surgery within 90 days of the first day of study drug dosing, and minor surgery within 30 days of the first day of study drug dosing.
10. Unable to swallow tablets or disease significantly affecting gastrointestinal function and/or inhibiting small intestine absorption such as; mal-absorption syndrome, resection of the small bowel or poorly controlled inflammatory bowel disease affecting the small intestine.
11. History of uncontrolled autoimmune hemolytic anemia, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) or thalassemia.
12. Presence or a history of bleeding disorders or clinical conditions (e.g. gastrointestinal \[GI\] bleeding or constitutional disorders) that may increase risk of life-threatening bleeding.
13. History of stroke or intracranial hemorrhage within 6 months prior to enrollment.
14. History of severe allergic or hypersensitivity to investigational products and its excipients.
15. Requires or is receiving anticoagulation with warfarin or equivalent vitamin K antagonists or other medications within 28 days of the first dose of study drug that in the investigator's opinion, could compromise patient safety.
16. Pregnant and breastfeeding women.
17. Current life-threatening illness, medical condition or organ system dysfunction which, in the Investigator's opinion, could compromise the patient's safety.
18. Other laboratory abnormalities that, in the opinion of the investigator, would compromise the patient's safety or interfere with data interpretation.
19. Presence of other systemic disorders or diseases (e.g., respiratory, gastrointestinal, endocrine, immunological, dermatological, neurological, psychiatric disease or any other body system involvement) which, in the Investigator's opinion, could compromise the patient's safety.
20. History of significant alcoholism or drug abuse within the past 1 year. History or presence of significant smoking (more than 10 cigarettes per day) or consumption of tobacco/nicotine products (more than 10 times per day).
21. History of difficulty with donating blood.
22. History or presence of any clinically significant ECG abnormalities during screening.
23. Participants who have participated in any drug research study other than the present trial within past 3 months.
24. Participants who have donated one unit (350 ml) of blood in the past 3 months or history of whole blood transfusion in last 120 days prior to enrollment.
25. History of chronic inflammatory disease (RA, Celiac disease, UC, Crohns disease, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus \[SLE\]).
26. In case of Diabetes mellitus patients, glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) \>9 %.
C: Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age and weight: \>/=18 years of age and \>/=45 kg (weight post-dialysis).
2. On three times weekly hemodialysis for at least 8 weeks, irrespective of eGFR values and stage of chronic kidney disease (CKD).
3. A single-pool Kt/Vurea of \>/=1.2 based on a historical value obtained within the prior month in order to ensure the adequacy of dialysis. If Kt/Vurea is not available, then an average of the last 2 values of urea reduction ratio (URR) of at least 65%.
4. rhEPO use: Using the same rhEPO (epoetins or darbepoetin) with total weekly doses that varied by no more than 50% during the prior 4 weeks (i.e., maximum vs. minimum total weekly doses \</=50%).
5. Hgb concentrations 9.5-12.0 g/dL (inclusive).
6. Vitamin B12 above the lower limit of the reference range (may rescreen in two months).
7. Folate: \>/= 2.0 ng/mL (may rescreen in one month).
8. Ferritin: \>/=40 ng/mL with the absence of microcytic or hypochromic RBCs.
9. Transferrin saturation (TSAT): Within the reference range.
10. Iron replacement therapy: Stable maintenance dose of oral iron replacement therapy, if required, that will be maintained throughout the study. NOTE: IV iron replacement therapy is not allowed the two weeks prior to Screening through the end of the study (Week 6).
11. QTc: QTcB \<470 msec or QTcB \<480 msec in subjects with bundle branch block obtained at Screening Visit (based on Central Reader's interpretation).
12. Females: Eligible to participate if she is of childbearing potential, and must agree to use one of the approved contraception methods from Screening until completion of the Follow-up Visit OR of non-childbearing potential defined as pre-menopausal females with a documented tubal ligation of hysterectomy; or postmenopausal defined as 12 months of spontaneous amenorrhea \[in questionable cases a blood sample with simultaneous follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)\>40MIU/ml and estradiol \<40pg/ml is confirmatory\]. Females on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) whose menopausal status is in doubt will be required to use one of the approved contraception methods if they wish to continue their HRT during the study. Otherwise they must discontinue HRT to allow confirmation of post-menopausal status prior to study enrolment. For most forms of HRT, at least 2 weeks will elapse between the cessation of therapy and the blood draw; this interval depends on the type and dosage of HRT. Following confirmation of their post-menopausal status, they can resume use of HRT during the study without use of a contraceptive method.
13. Males: Must agree to use one of the approved contraceptive methods from the time of Screening until completion of the Follow-up Visit.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Dialysis modality: On peritoneal dialysis OR planned change in dialysis modality within the study time period.
2. rhEPO Hyporesponders: As defined by an epoetin dose of \>/=360 IU/kg/week IV or darbepoetin dose of \>/=1.8 µg/kg/week IV within the prior 8 weeks.
3. Renal transplant: Renal transplant anticipated or scheduled within the study time period or subjects with a functioning renal transplant.
4. Mircera or Peginesatide: Current or prior use (within the prior 8 weeks) of Mircera (methoxy polyethylene glycol epoetin beta) OR peginesatide.
5. Total CPK: \>5x the upper limit of the reference range.
6. HIV: Positive HIV antibody.
7. History of myocardial infarction or acute coronary syndrome within the prior 6 months.
8. History of stroke or transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) within the prior 6 months.
9. Heart failure: Class III/IV heart failure, as defined by the New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classification system.
10. Hypertension: Poorly controlled hypertension, whether due to inadequate treatment, or lack of treatment, is defined as follows:

    * DBP \>100 mmHg or SBP\>160 mmHg for subjects taking hypertension medication(s) before screening and dialysis, if required.
    * DBP \>105 mmHg or SBP\>170 mmHg for subjects who are asked to hold hypertension medication(s) before screening and dialysis.
11. Thrombotic Disease: History of thrombotic disease (e.g., venous thrombosis such as deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, or arterial thrombosis such as new onset or worsening limb ischemia requiring intervention), or other thrombosis related condition except shunt thrombosis) within the prior 6 months.
12. Pulmonary hypertension: Known pulmonary hypertension and those at higher risk (than normally associated with CKD) for pre-existing elevation in pulmonary pressure (e.g., significant heart failure or lung disease requiring supplemental oxygen, or those with connective tissue diseases).
13. Inflammatory disease: Chronic inflammatory disease that could impact erythropoiesis (e.g., scleroderma, systemic lupus erythematosis, rheumatoid arthritis, celiac disease).
14. Haematological disease: Any haematological disease including those affecting platelets, the coagulation disorders (e.g., Protein C or S deficiency) or red blood cells (e.g. sickle cell anemia, myelodysplastic syndromes, haematological malignancy, myeloma, haemolytic anemia) or any other cause of anemia other than renal disease.
15. Liver disease: Current liver disease, known hepatic or biliary abnormalities (with the exception of Gilbert's syndrome or asymptomatic gallstones) or evidence at Screening of abnormal liver function tests \[alkaline phosphatase, alanine transaminase (ALT) or aspartate transaminase (AST) \> 2.0 x upper limit of normal (ULN) or total bilirubin \> 1.5 x ULN\]; or other hepatic abnormalities that in the opinion of the investigator would preclude the subject from participation in the study.
16. Major surgery: (excluding vascular access surgery) Within the prior 12 weeks or planned during the study.
17. Transfusion: Blood transfusion within the prior 12 weeks or an anticipated need for blood transfusion during the study.
18. Ulcer and Active GI Bleeding: Evidence of active peptic, duodenal, or esophageal ulcer disease OR GI bleeding within the prior 12 weeks.
19. Acute infection: Clinical evidence of acute infection or history of infection requiring intravenous (IV) antibiotic therapy the eight weeks prior to Screening through Day 1 (randomization).
20. Malignancy: History of malignancy within the prior 5 years or are receiving treatment for cancer or those with a strong family history of cancer (e.g., familial cancer disorders), with the exception of squamous cell or basal cell carcinoma of the skin that has been definitively treated.
21. Eyes: History of proliferative retinopathy requiring treatment within the prior 12 months or macular edema requiring treatment.
22. Severe reactions: History of severe allergic or anaphylactic reactions or hypersensitivity to excipients in the investigational product.
23. Drugs and supplements: Use of any prescription or non-prescription drugs or dietary supplements that are prohibited from Screening until the Follow-up Visit.
24. Androgens: New androgen therapy or changes to pre-existing androgen regimen within the prior 12 weeks.
25. Prior investigational product exposure: The Subject has participated in a clinical trial and has received an experimental investigational product within the prior 30 days.
26. Protocol compliance: Unwillingness or inability to follow the procedures, or lifestyle and/or dietary restrictions outlined in the protocol.
27. Other Conditions: Any condition which in the investigator's opinion should exclude the subject from participating in the study.
28. Pregnancy or Lactation: Pregnant females as determined by positive serum hCG test OR women who are lactating at Screening or during the trial.
D: Key Inclusion Criteria:

* 18 to 82 years of age, inclusive
* Chronic Kidney Disease with a GFR category of G3a-G5 and not yet on dialysis
* eGFR ≥ 10 and ≤ 65 mL/minute/1.73 m2
* Anemia secondary to CKD with an ESA status and a Screening HGB as per protocol
* Iron replete with ferritin and TSAT levels as defined per protocol

Key Exclusion Criteria:

* BMI \> 44.0 kg/m2
* Red blood cell transfusion within 11 weeks prior to the Screening visit
* Androgen therapy within the previous 21 days prior to the Screening visit
* Intravenous iron within the past 4 weeks prior to the Screening visit
* AST or ALT \>1.8x ULN, alkaline phosphatase \>2x ULN, or total bilirubin \>1.5x ULN
* Screening ECG with QTc \> 500 msec
* Uncontrolled hypertension
* Class III or IV congestive heart failure
* Myocardial infarction, acute coronary syndrome, or stroke within 6 months prior to the Screening visit

Answer: B