Dec. 5, 2002 – Altair Nanotechnologies Inc. said it has begun animal testing a drug for removing phosphate ions in kidney dialysis patients.

The drug, RenaZorb, is being tested in dogs, and the trial will determine if it performs as well in animals as it has in the laboratory. The tests — which the company said would not harm the animals — should be completed by February, and human trials could be the next step.

RenaZorb, a nanoparticle-based ceramic material, treats elevated phosphate levels in patients with end-stage renal disease. It is designed to remove ions in the gastrointestinal tract without absorption into the bloodstream, and would do so in doses far lower than current or proposed drugs for the same purpose, the company said.

“I’ve been in pharmaceutical industry for 25 years — I’ve never seen a drug that looked this clean this early,” said Rudi Moerck, Altair’s president. “It has every possible advantage and no red flags.”

Moerck said Altair is talking to several large pharmaceutical companies interested in licensing RenaZorb.