4 Week Correction Study in Subjects With Anemia Associated With Chronic Kidney Disease Who Are Not Undergoing Dialysis

This is a four-week Phase IIa, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, multi-center study to evaluate the safety, efficacy and pharmacokinetics of GSK1278863 in approximately 68 subjects with anemia associated with chronic kidney disease who are not taking rhEPO and are not undergoing dialysis. The study consists of a screening phase of up to 2 weeks, a 4-week treatment phase and a 2-week follow-up phase. The range of Hgb values for study eligibility is 8.5-11.0 g/dL. Eligible subjects will be randomized in equal proportions to receive once daily (QD) placebo or GSK1278863 0.5 mg, 2 mg or 5 mg in a double-blind fashion. Study treatment will be stopped if Hgb values fall outside of the range pre-specified in the protocol. This study aims to estimate the relationship between dose of GSK1278863 and Hgb response for correcting anemia in non-dialysis subjects with CKD who are not taking rhEPO (NDD). In addition, the study will characterize the effect of GSK1278863 on various pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) markers, and will investigate the safety and tolerability of GSK1278863. An early interim analysis of the Hgb data is planned after approximately 20 subjects from cohort 1 have completed 3 weeks of treatment. Depending upon the interim findings, a second cohort of subjects may be added to investigate an additional GSK1278863 dose arm. Recruitment to the first cohort will continue during the interim analysis. A second interim analysis is planned after approximately 48 subjects from cohort 1 have completed 4 weeks treatment. The purpose of this interim is three-fold, to investigate whether a second cohort of subjects may be added, to facilitate early development of dose-response and PK/PD statistical models, and to generate interim results to facilitate design and dosing decisions for the next trial. Subject completion is defined as completion of all study phases including the follow-up phase.