Darbepoetin alfa is a glycoprotein analog of erythropoietin (EPO). Darbepoetin alfa is produced in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells by recombinant DNA technology. Darbepoetin alfa differs from human recombinant erythropoietin (rHuEPO) in containing of 5 N-linked oligosaccharide chains (instead of 3 chains in the ruHuEPO). However, due to the additional carbohydrate chains, darbepoetin alfa has an approximately 3-fold longer terminal half-life and longer in-vivo biological activity than rHuEPO. It stimulates erythropoiesis by the same mechanism as endogenous erythropoietin.

DarbeRel is indicated for the treatment of anemia in adult and pediatric patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), including patients receiving dialysis and patients not receiving dialysis, and for the treatment of anemia in adult patients with nonmyeloid malignancies when anemia is due to concomitantly administered chemotherapy.

DarbeRel is available as pre-filled syringes in the strengths of 25 mcg, 40 mcg, 60 mcg.