BELLUS Health is focused on developing drugs for rare diseases, starting with conditions that affect the kidneys. The lead program KIACTA™, a novel drug candidate, is in data review after announcing on June 20, 2016 top-line results from its Phase 3 study for the treatment of AA amyloidosis, a rare disease resulting in renal dysfunction that often leads to dialysis and death. BELLUS Health is partnered with global private equity firm Auven Therapeutics for the development of KIACTA™. KIACTA™ is also being developed as a treatment in a second indication called sarcoidosis, a rare, potentially fatal inflammatory condition that affects the lungs. An investigational new drug application (IND) for a Phase 2/3 clinical study is expected to be filed with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2016. In addition, BELLUS Health is developing Shigamab™, an antibody treatment for Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome caused by Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (sHUS). sHUS often leads to dialysis, chronic kidney disease and in some cases death, particularly in children. Shigamab™ pre-clinical studies for the treatment of sHUS are currently underway. BELLUS Health’s pipeline also includes a research-stage project for the treatment of AL amyloidosis, a rare disease in which amyloid protein builds up and causes dysfunction in various parts of the body.