Biopharmaceutical company AstraZeneca Plc (STO:AZN) (LON:AZN) reported on Thursday the approval of Lokelma (sodium zirconium cyclosilicate) in Japan for the treatment of patients with hyperkalaemia (elevated levels of potassium in the blood).

Reportedly, this approval by Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare was based on positive results from stand-alone studies in Japan and global clinical trial programmes. It was also supported by DIALIZE, a global trial for end-stage renal disease patients on haemodialysis, which demonstrated the positive efficacy and safety of Lokelma in the management of hyperkalaemia.

Lokelma is the first innovative non-resin potassium binder to be approved in Japan. Traditional resin-based binders are often associated with poor tolerability.

Also, Lokelma is approved for the treatment of hyperkalaemia in the US, EU, Canada, Hong Kong, China and Russia.

AstraZeneca is focused on the discovery, development and commercialisation of prescription medicines, primarily for the treatment of diseases in the three therapy areas of Oncology, Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism, and Respiratory.