A Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of FK506E (MR4) in Patients Undergoing Primary Kidney Transplantation

A Multicentre, Randomised, Double Blind, Two Arm Parallel Group Study to Evaluate and Compare the Efficacy and Safety of Modified Release Tacrolimus FK506E (MR4) Versus Tacrolimus FK506 in Combination With MMF (Cellcept®) and Steroids in Patients Undergoing Kidney Transplantation

The purpose of this study is to evaluate and to compare the efficacy and safety of a triple modified release tacrolimus FK506E (MR4) / MMF / steroid regimen with a triple standard tacrolimus FK506 / MMF / steroid regimen in patients undergoing kidney transplantation. It shall be demonstrated that FK506E (MR4) is non-inferior to FK506 with regards to the primary endpoint.

A multicentre, 1:1 randomised, double blind, double dummy, two arm parallel group phase III study comparing a triple modified release tacrolimus FK506E (MR4) / MMF / steroid regimen with a triple standard tacrolimus FK506 / MMF / steroid regimen.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients receiving a kidney transplant from a cadaveric donor or a living non HLA identical donor between 5 and 65 years of age with compatible ABO blood type.
• Patients with end stage kidney disease who are suitable candidates for primary renal transplantation or re-transplantation (unless the graft was lost because of immunological reasons within 12 months).

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients receiving or having previously received an organ transplant other than a kidney.
• Patients with a high immunological risk, defined as a panel reactive antibodies (PRA) grade >50% in the previous 6 months and/or with a previous graft survival of less than 12 months due to immunological reasons.
• Cold ischaemia time of the donor kidney >30 hours.