Relypsa nabs FDA approval for Veltassa, but label could give rival an opening

Relypsa ($RLYP) got good news and bad news from the FDA Wednesday. The good: Its hyperkalemia drug patiromer, now dubbed Veltassa, won agency approval. The not-so-good: Its label isn't quite as "clean" as the company might have hoped; it includes a black-box warning of interactions with oral meds. Analysts say that could give ZS Pharma an advantage if and when its potential competitor gets an FDA nod next year. Still, Relypsa says it's "excited" about the Veltassa launch. "Overall, we're pleased with the label," spokeswoman Charlotte Arnold said in an emailed statement. "The indication is broad and supports use in both the hospital and outpatient settings." Release | Report