PERTH, Australia – Melbourne-based Dimerix Ltd.’s stock shot up nearly 20% on the news that its lead compound, DMX-200, met primary and secondary endpoints in a phase IIa trial in patients with rare kidney disease focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), according to top-line results.

Aduro Biotech Inc. and privately held Chinook Therapeutics Inc., will merge to focus mainly on kidney diseases. Two complementary drugs are involved in the deal.

LONDON – Sanifit Therapeutics SA has delivered positive phase IIb data demonstrating SNF-472 significantly reduces progression of cardiovascular calcification (CVC) in patients with end-stage kidney disease who are on dialysis.

DUBLIN – Evotec SE is taking a further crack at kidney disease, through a 50-50 joint venture with Vifor Pharma Group, which is funding an initial drug discovery and preclinical development phase with €25 million (US$27.6 million). The as-yet-unnamed venture aims to capitalize on Evotec's participation in a large-scale U.K. biobank, which is tracking about 4,000 patients with either chronic kidney disease or idiopathic nephrotic syndrome.