Phase IIIb study to evaluate the long-term efficacy of ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) (using targeted ferritin levels to determine dosing) or oral iron in non-dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease (NDD-CKD) subjects with iron deficiency anaemia (IDA).

After an initial screening period of up to 4 weeks, eligible subjects were randomised (1:1:2) to 1 of the following 3 treatment arms for a period of 52 weeks.

1. FCM regimen (maximum single intravenous doses of 1,000 mg of iron) targeting a ferritin level of 400-600 mcg/L.
2. FCM regimen (maximum single intravenous doses of 200 mg of iron) targeting a ferritin level of 100-200 mcg/L.
3. Daily oral iron with 200 mg iron/day (100 mg twice daily)

Inclusion Criteria:

1. At least 18 years of age.
2. NDD-CKD subjects with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≤60 mL/min/1.73 m2 using modification of diet in renal disease 4 (MDRD-4) calculation.
3. NDD-CKD subjects with an eGFR loss ≤12 mL/min/1.73 m2/year and a predicted eGFR of ≥15 mL/min/1.73 m2 in 12 months.
4. Any single Hb between 9 and 11 g/dL within 4 weeks of randomisation. A value taken as part of routine medical care was used.
5. Any single serum ferritin <100 mcg/L or <200 mcg/L with TSAT <20% within 4 weeks of randomisation. Measurements taken as part of routine medical care were used.
6. ESA naïve; no exposure to ESA in last 4 months prior to randomisation.
7. Females of childbearing potential must have had a negative pregnancy test, using any medically acceptable assessment, prior to randomisation.
8. Before any study specific procedure, the appropriate written informed consent must have been obtained.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. History of acquired iron overload.
2. Known hypersensitivity reaction to any component of ferrous sulphate or FCM. Subjects with hypersensitivity to other forms of iron were permitted to participate.
3. Documented history of discontinuing oral iron products due to significant gastrointestinal (GI) distress.
4. Screening TSAT >40%.
5. Known active infection, C-reactive protein >20 mg/L, clinically significant overt bleeding, active malignancy (i.e., clinical evidence of current malignancy or not in stable remission for at least 5 years since completion of last treatment with exception of basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin, and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia).
6. History of chronic alcohol abuse (alcohol consumption >40 g/day).
7. Chronic liver disease and/or screening alanine transaminase or aspartate transaminase above 3 times the upper limit of the normal range.
8. Active human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome or active hepatitis B or C virus infection.
9. Anaemia due to reasons other than iron deficiency (e.g., haemoglobinopathy). Subjects with treated Vitamin B12 or folic acid deficiency were permitted.
10. IV iron and/or blood transfusion in previous 30 days prior to screening (or during the screening period).
11. Oral iron therapy at doses >100 mg/day dosing must have been discontinued at least 1 week prior to randomisation. If subject had received this therapy for >3 months (at doses >100 mg/day) then subject was not eligible. Ongoing use of multivitamins containing iron was permitted.
12. Immunosuppressive therapy that may have led to anaemia (e.g., cyclophosphamide, azathioprine, or mycophenolate mofetil). Steroid therapy was permitted.
13. Currently requiring renal dialysis.
14. Anticipated dialysis or transplant during the study.
15. Anticipated need for surgery that may have resulted in significant bleeding (>100 mL).
16. Currently suffering from chronic heart failure New York Heart Association Class IV.
17. Poorly controlled hypertension (>160 mmHg systolic pressure or >100 mmHg diastolic pressure).
18. Acute coronary syndrome or stroke within the 3 months prior to screening.
19. Currently suffering from concomitant, severe psychiatric disorders or other conditions which, in the opinion of the Investigator, would have made participation unacceptable.
20. Subject was not using adequate contraceptive precautions.
21. Subject of childbearing potential was evidently pregnant (e.g., positive human chorionic gonadotropin test) or was breast feeding.
22. Body weight <35 kg.
23. Subject currently was enrolled in or had not yet completed at least 30 days since ending other investigational device or drug studies, or subject was receiving other investigational agent(s).
24. Subject would not be available for follow-up assessment.
25. Subject had any kind of disorder that compromised the ability of the subject to give written informed consent and/or to comply with study procedures.

Investigators may not present or publish partial or complete study results individually. Any manuscript or abstract proposed by the Investigators must be reviewed and approved in writing by Vifor Pharma before submission for publication. Names of all Investigators participating in the study will be included in the publication.