Veverimer is currently in clinical development for the treatment of metabolic acidosis associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD). One of the roles of the kidneys is to remove excess acid from the blood and excrete the acid in urine. In CKD, the kidneys do not function as well as they should so they cannot remove acid adequately. This results in a build-up of acid in the blood that can cause symptoms such as confusion, fast heartbeat, headache, loss of appetite, vomiting and feeling weak or tired. Metabolic acidosis in CKD can result in increased bone loss, progression of kidney disease, muscle loss and endocrine disorders such as diabetes.
Veverimer is given as an oral suspension and it works by binding to hydrochloric acid in the gastrointestinal tract and removing it from the body through excretion in the faeces. Preliminary results from early studies have demonstrated that veverimer is efficacious and safe. If licensed, veverimer could offer an additional treatment option for patients with metabolic acidosis associated with CKD.