BUZZ-Vertex shares rise as its kidney disease drug shows promising results in mid-stage study

September 22 - ** Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX.O) shares rose 1.1% to $516.53

** The biotechnology company said its experimental drug inaxaplin reduced protein levels in the urine (a key indicator of kidney damage) by 42.7% after 13 weeks of treatment in patients with APOL1-mediated kidney disease.

** This genetic kidney disease mainly affects people of African descent and may lead to kidney failure; there is currently no approved treatment.

** The company said the drug also lowered urinary protein levels by 17.3% in patients with both the disease and type 2 diabetes.

** Vertex said inaxaplin is generally safe and well tolerated, with no serious side effects related to the treatment.

** Including this session, the stock has gained about 14% so far this year.

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