| [ Summary ] |
C.E R.A. is a novel class of erythropoiesis stimulating agent synthesized by a chemical conjugation of a methoxypolyethylene glycol molecule to the epoetin beta molecule. C.E.R.A. has a relatively long half-life and possesses the unique characteristic of stimulating the production of erythrocytes within the body in a continuous fashion. From numerous clinical studies it has been shown that C.E.R.A. provides anemic patients with stable and sustained Hb levels even at once per month dosing by either intravenous or subcutaneous administration routes. Therapeutic intervention with C.E.R.A is thus expected to lessen the numbers of patient visits to hospitals and thereby to improve medical care compliance for pre-dialysis patients. Reductions in risks, such as susceptibility to infectious diseases, may be significant, due to decreases in the number of injections for dialysis patients. It is thought that C.E.R.A. enables health care providers to focus on other medical challenges for patients, allowing patients to escape from the burden of anemia. |