Reata Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Irving, Texas, and Abbott, of Abbott Park, Ill., initiated a pivotal Phase III trial of bardoxolone methyl in patients with chronic kidney disease and Type II diabetes. The double-blind, placebo-controlled, 1,600-patient study will have a primary endpoint of time-to-first-event composite event consisting of progression to end-stage renal disease, defined as the need for chronic dialysis or renal transplant, and cardiovascular death. Results are expected in 2013. Bardoxolone methyl is an antioxidant inflammation modulator. Reata and Abbott teamed up last year in an ex-U.S. deal worth $450 million up front.