What is distal renal tubular acidosis (dRTA)?

Distal renal tubular acidosis is a rare kidney disorder that occurs when the kidneys are unable to effectively remove the buildup of circulating acids in the blood—a condition called acidosis—which leads to a metabolic imbalance. dRTA is a serious disorder, especially for pediatric patients.

dRTA can be either genetically inherited or acquired. The inherited form of dRTA, also known as primary dRTA, is most common among infants and children, while the acquired form is more common in adults. Acquired dRTA can be due to autoimmune disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, or to certain medications.

An estimated 30,000 patients in Europe and 20,000 patients in the United States suffer from dRTA, which was first described in the 1930s.

  What are the signs and symptoms of dRTA?

Severe manifestations of dRTA occur primarily in pediatric patients, especially infants. Early signs and symptoms in babies include nausea and vomiting, dehydration, extreme tiredness, feeding issues and problems with weight gain. Children can also develop rickets, and often experience stunting of growth.

Mineral imbalances caused by dRTA can lead to kidney stones and hypokalemia, or decreased levels of potassium in the blood. Hypokalemia causes severe muscle weakness, shortness of breath and abnormal heart rhythm.

dRTA can cause digestive disorders, such as anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation, and can also lead to hearing loss.

  How is dRTA treated?

Currently, the main treatment for dRTA involves alkali agents, which are used to neutralize excess acid in the blood. Pediatric patients are generally treated with higher doses because their bicarbonate needs are greater than adults. Potassium supplementation is required for patients with hypokalemia.

These products usually require repeated dosing per day and have a poor tolerance profile and palatability. Because maintaining overnight treatment is of particular importance, compliance is low in pediatric patients, due to their increased sleep needs. As a result, patients may experience poor control of homeostasis over 24 hours, which is vital to preventing long-term complications. Side effects of these treatments can also include abdominal pain.

Because of the complications associated with traditional treatment, Advicenne has developed an innovative product in an oral pharmaceutical form, appropriate for children and adults, a global treatment which maintains a sustained-release of various agents along the entire intestinal tract over 12 hours for a twice-a-day administration, thus maximizing absorption of the agents, re-establishing homeostasis, and avoiding abdominal pain.

Learn more about dRTA

Latest news

Advicenne receives positive CHMP opinion recommending approval of ADV7103 (Sibnayal®) for the treatment of distal renal tubular acidosis (dRTA)

Advicenne obtains non-dilutive loan facility of €4.3 million guaranteed by the French State

Advicenne Presents 2020 Half-Year Financial Report and Provides Update on Outlook and Recent Developments

Advicenne Strengthens Its Financial Structure Through the Implementation of its €20 Million Financing Agreement with the European Investment Bank, with the Drawdown of a First Tranche of €7.5 Million

Advicenne's, company dedicated to developing and commercializing innovative treatments that address unmet medical needs in the area of nephrology.

Since its founding in 2007, Advicenne has been dedicated to developing and commercializing innovative treatments that address unmet medical needs in the area of nephrology. Our lead drug candidate, ADV7103, is in late-stage clinical trials for two indications: distal renal tubular acidosis (dRTA) and cystinuria. Listed on both the Euronext Paris and Euronext Brussels stock exchanges, the company is headquartered in Nîmes, France.

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