Roxadustat is a hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase enzyme (HIF-PH) inhibitor (IC50 = 591.4 nM). Roxadustat reduces basal oxygen consumption and increases glycolysis in vitro. It increases hemoglobin levels and stimulates erythropoiesis in vivo. By reducing ACE2 expression, roxadustat reduces the levels of SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA and inhibits entry, replication and secretion of infectious particles in lung epithelial cells. Roxadustat also suppresses hydroxylation and secretion of high molecular weight forms of mannose-binding lectin. The compound suppresses ion currents in pituitary tumor cells (IC50 values for inhibition of peak and late components of delayed rectifier calcium currents are 5.71 and 1.32 μM, respectively). Orally bioavailable.
