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   <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January&nbsp;30, 2025 </B></P>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="right"><B>Registration <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">No.&nbsp;333-&#8195;&#8195;&#8195;</FONT> </B></P>
  <P STYLE="font-size:4pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="line-height:1.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P>
  <P STYLE="line-height:3.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:4pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>UNITED STATES </B></P>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION </B></P>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center>
  <P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>FORM <FONT
  STYLE="white-space:nowrap">S-8</FONT></B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>REGISTRATION STATEMENT </B><B><I></I></B><B> </B></P>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><I>UNDER </I></B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><I>THE
  SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 </I></B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center> <P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:24pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>AKEBIA THERAPEUTICS, INC. </B></P>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center>
  <P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
  <TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt" ALIGN="center">
  
  
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  <TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B>Delaware</B></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">20-8756903</FONT></B></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt">
  <TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(State or other jurisdiction of</B></P>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>incorporation or organization)</B></P></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(I.R.S. Employer</B></P>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Identification No.)</B></P></TD></TR>
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  <TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B>245 First Street, Cambridge, MA</B></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B>02142</B></TD></TR>
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  <TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B>(Address of Principal Executive Offices)</B></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B>(Zip Code)</B></TD></TR>
  </TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Inducement Stock Option Awards (January 2024 &#150; December 2024) </B></P>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Full title of the plan) </B></P>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Carolyn M. Rucci </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Senior
  Vice President, Legal and General Counsel and Secretary </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Akebia Therapeutics, Inc. </B></P>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>245 First Street </B></P>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Cambridge, MA 02142 </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Name
  and address of agent for service) </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(617) <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">871-2098</FONT></B></P>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service) </B></P>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Please send copies of all communications to: </B></P>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Caroline Dotolo </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Wilmer
  Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>60 State Street </B></P>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Boston, MA 02109 </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><FONT
  STYLE="white-space:nowrap"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">617-526-6000</FONT></FONT></B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center>
  <P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Indicate by check mark whether
  the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-accelerated</FONT> filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of &#147;large accelerated
  filer,&#148; &#147;accelerated filer,&#148; &#147;smaller reporting company,&#148; and &#147;emerging growth company&#148; in Rule <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">12b-2</FONT> of the Exchange Act. </P>
  <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
  <TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" ALIGN="center">
  
  
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  <TD VALIGN="bottom">Large&nbsp;accelerated&nbsp;filer</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&#9744;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">Accelerated&nbsp;filer</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&#9746;</TD></TR>
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  <TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
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  <TD VALIGN="bottom">Non-accelerated filer</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&#9744;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">Smaller&nbsp;reporting&nbsp;company</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&#9746;</TD></TR>
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  <TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">Emerging&nbsp;growth&nbsp;company</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&#9744;</TD></TR>
  </TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period
  for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section&nbsp;7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act.&#8194;&#9744; </P> <P STYLE="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
  <P STYLE="line-height:1.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="line-height:3.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P>
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   <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>PART I </B></P>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS </B></P>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Item&#8201;1. Plan Information. </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The information required
  by Item 1 is omitted from this Registration Statement and included in documents sent or given to participants in the plan covered by this Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 428(b)(1) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
  &#147;Securities Act&#148;). </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Item&#8201;2. Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual Information. </B></P>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The written statement required by Item 2 is omitted from this Registration Statement and included in documents sent or given to participants in the plan
  covered by this Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 428(b)(1) of the Securities Act. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>PART II </B></P>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT </B></P>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Item&#8201;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference. </B></P>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Registrant is subject to the informational and reporting requirements of Sections 13(a), 14, and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
  (the &#147;Exchange Act&#148;), and in accordance therewith files reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the &#147;Commission&#148;). The following documents, which are on file with the
  Commission, are incorporated in this Registration Statement by reference: </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(a) The Registrant&#146;s Annual Report on Form <FONT
  STYLE="white-space:nowrap">10-K</FONT> for the fiscal year ended December&nbsp;
  31, 2023, as filed with the Commission on <A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/../../../ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001517022/000162828024011270/akba-20231231.htm">March<U></U>&nbsp;14, 2024</A>, including the information specifically
  incorporated by reference into the Registrant&#146;s Annual Report on Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">10-K</FONT> from the Registrant&#146;s definitive proxy statement for the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, filed with the Commission on <A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/../../../ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001517022/000151702224000045/akba-20240425.htm">April
  <U></U>&nbsp;25, 2024</A>; </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(b) The Registrant&#146;s Quarterly Reports on Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">10-Q</FONT> for the
  fiscal quarters ended March&nbsp;31, 2024, June&nbsp;30, 2024 and September&nbsp;
  30, 2024, as filed with the Commission on <A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/../../../ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001517022/000162828024021945/akba-20240331.htm">May<U></U>&nbsp;
  9, 2024</A>, <A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/../../../ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001517022/000162828024035879/akba-20240630.htm">August<U></U>&nbsp;
  8, 2024</A> and <A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/../../../ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001517022/000162828024045979/akba-20240930.htm">November<U></U>&nbsp;7, 2024</A>, respectively; </P>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(c) The Registrant&#146;s Current Reports on Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">8-K</FONT> as filed with the Commission on <A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/../../../ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001517022/000151702224000007/akba-20240108.htm">January
  <U></U>&nbsp;8, 2024</A>, <A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/../../../ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001517022/000151702224000014/akba-20240129.htm">January<U></U>&nbsp;
  30, 2024</A>, <A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/../../../ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001517022/000151702224000019/akba-20240208.htm">February<U></U>&nbsp;
  13, 2024</A>, <A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/../../../ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001517022/000119312524069123/d650653d8k.htm">March<U></U>&nbsp;
  15, 2024</A>, <A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/../../../ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001517022/000151702224000031/akba-20240327.htm">March<U></U>&nbsp;
  28, 2024</A>, <A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1517022/000151702224000033/akba-20241504xwuxiamendment.htm">April<U></U>&nbsp;
  16, 2024</A>, <A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1517022/000151702224000035/akba-20242304xkreosdrawdown.htm">April<U></U>&nbsp;
  23, 2024</A>, <A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1517022/000151702224000057/akba-20241006cfo.htm">June<U></U>&nbsp;
  10, 2024</A>, <A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/../../../ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001517022/000151702224000059/akba-20240621.htm">June<U></U>&nbsp;
  24, 2024</A>, <A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/../../../ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001517022/000151702224000061/akba-20240710.htm">July<U></U>&nbsp;
  11, 2024</A>, <A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/../../../ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001517022/000151702224000067/akba-20241015.htm">October<U></U>&nbsp;
  16, 2024</A>, and <A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/../../../ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001517022/000151702225000004/akba-20250113.htm">January<U></U>&nbsp;13, 2025</A>. Any report or portion thereof &#147;furnished&#148; on Form <FONT
  STYLE="white-space:nowrap">8-K</FONT> shall not be incorporated by reference; and </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(d) The description of the Registrant&#146;s securities
  contained in the Registrant&#146;s Registration Statement on Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">8-A,</FONT> as filed with the Commission on <A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1517022/000119312514095663/d692175d8a12b.htm">March&nbsp;
  12, 2014</A> under the Exchange Act, as the description therein has been updated and superseded by the description of the Registrant&#146;s capital stock contained in <A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1517022/000162828021003283/exhibit46b-descriptionofth.htm">Exhibit
   4.6</A> to the Registrant&#146;s Annual Report on Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">10-K</FONT> for the fiscal year ended December&nbsp;31, 2020, as filed with the Commission on February&nbsp;25, 2021, including any amendments or reports filed
  for the purpose of updating such description. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">All documents subsequently filed by the Registrant pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the
  Exchange Act, prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment that indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold or that deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this
  Registration Statement and to be part hereof from the date of the filing of such documents. Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for the
  purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document that also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement
  so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Registration Statement. </P>
  </DIV></Center>
  
  
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   <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Item&#8201;4. Description of Securities. </B></P>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Not applicable. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Item&#8201;5. Interests of Named Experts and
  Counsel. </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Not applicable. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Item&#8201;6.
  Indemnification of Directors and Officers </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Registrant&#146;s Ninth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation contains provisions that
  eliminate, to the maximum extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the &#147;DGCL&#148;), the personal liability of directors for monetary damages for breach of their fiduciary duties as a director. The
  Registrant&#146;s Ninth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Second Amended and Restated Bylaws (&#147;Amended and Restated Bylaws&#148;) provide that the Registrant shall indemnify its directors and executive officers and may
  indemnify its employees and other agents to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Section&nbsp;145 of the DGCL empowers a Delaware corporation to
  indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the rights of
  the corporation) by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise. The indemnity may include expenses (including attorneys&#146;
  fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person. The statute provides that it is not exclusive of other rights to which those seeking indemnification may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement,
  vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Section&nbsp;102(b)(7) of the DGCL permits a corporation to provide in its charter that a
  director or officer of the corporation will not be personally liable to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director or officer, except for liability (1)&nbsp;for any breach of the
  director&#146;s or officer&#146;s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (2)&nbsp;for a director&#146;s or officer&#146;s acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law,
  (3)&nbsp;for a director, for payments of unlawful dividends or unlawful stock purchases or redemptions, (4)&nbsp;for any transaction from which the director or officer derived an improper personal benefit or (5)&nbsp;for an officer, in any action by
  or in the right of the corporation. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Registrant has entered into indemnification agreements with each of its directors and officers, in addition to
  the indemnification provided for in the Registrant&#146;s Ninth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The
  Registrant maintains insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director or officer of the Registrant against any loss arising from any claim asserted against him or her and incurred by him or her in any such capacity, subject to certain
  exclusions. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Item&#8201;7. Exemption from Registration Claimed. </B></P>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Not applicable. </P>
  </DIV></Center>
  
  
  <p style="margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0em; page-break-before:always"> </p>
  <HR SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">
  
  
  <Center><DIV STYLE="width:8.5in" align="left">
   <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Item&#8201;8. Exhibits. </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
  <TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" ALIGN="center">
  
  
  <TR>
  
  <TD></TD>
  
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="4%"></TD>
  <TD WIDTH="93%"></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt">
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000; display:table-cell; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="center"><B>Exhibit<BR>No.</B></P></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Description</B></P></TD></TR>
  
  
  <TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
  <TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
  <TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
  <TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>&#8199;4.1</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1517022/000119312514121774/d700849dex31.htm">Ninth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (previously filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company&#146;s Current Report on Form <FONT
  STYLE="white-space:nowrap">8-K</FONT> filed on March&nbsp;28, 2014 (File <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">No.&nbsp;001-36352)</FONT> and incorporated herein by reference). </A></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
  <TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
  <TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
  <TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>&#8199;4.2</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1517022/000119312520164639/d934672dex31.htm">Certificate of Amendment of Ninth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Akebia Therapeutics, Inc. (previously filed as Exhibit
   3.1 to the Company&#146;s Current Report on Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">8-K,</FONT> filed on June&nbsp;9, 2020 (File <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">No.&nbsp;001-36352)</FONT> and incorporated herein by reference). </A></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
  <TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
  <TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
  <TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>&#8199;4.3</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1517022/000119312523124259/d455889dex31.htm">Second Amended and Restated Bylaws (previously filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company&#146;s Current Report on Form <FONT
  STYLE="white-space:nowrap">8-K</FONT> filed on April<U></U>&nbsp;28, 2023 (File No.<U></U><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">&nbsp;001-36352)</FONT> and incorporated herein by reference)</A>.</TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
  <TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
  <TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
  <TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>&#8199;5.1</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="d775128dex51.htm">Opinion of Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP (filed herewith). </A></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
  <TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
  <TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
  <TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>23.1</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="d775128dex231.htm">Consent of Ernst&nbsp;&amp; Young LLP (filed herewith). </A></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
  <TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
  <TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
  <TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>23.2</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="d775128dex51.htm">Consent of Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP (included in the opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1). </A></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
  <TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
  <TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
  <TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>24.1</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="d775128ds8.htm#sig">Power of attorney (included on the signature page of this Registration Statement under the caption &#147;Power of Attorney and Signatures&#148;). </A></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
  <TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
  <TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
  <TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>99.1</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1517022/000162828024011270/akbaex1047formofofficerind.htm">Form of Officer Inducement Award Stock Option Agreement under 2023 Stock Incentive Plan (Reflecting Clawback Policy) (previously
   filed as Exhibit 10.47 to the Company&#146;s Annual Report on Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">10-K</FONT> <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">(001-36352)</FONT> filed on March&nbsp;14, 2024 and incorporated herein by reference). </A></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
  <TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
  <TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
  <TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>99.2</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="d775128dex992.htm">Form of <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Non-Officer</FONT> Inducement Award Stock Option Agreement under 2023 Stock Incentive Plan (filed herewith). </A></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
  <TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
  <TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
  <TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>107</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="d775128dexfilingfees.htm">Filing Fee Table (filed herewith). </A></TD></TR>
  </TABLE>
  </DIV></Center>
  
  
  <p style="margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0em; page-break-before:always"> </p>
  <HR SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">
  
  
  <Center><DIV STYLE="width:8.5in" align="left">
   <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Item&#8201;9. Undertakings. </B></P>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(a) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes: </P>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:9%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement: </P>
  <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
  <TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
  <TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
  <TD WIDTH="13%">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD WIDTH="5%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">(i)</TD>
  <TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left">To include any prospectus required by Section&nbsp;10(a)(3) of the Securities Act; </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
  <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
  <TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
  <TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
  <TD WIDTH="13%">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD WIDTH="5%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">(ii)</TD>
  <TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left">To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the Registration Statement
  (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the Registration Statement; and </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
  <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
  <TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
  <TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
  <TD WIDTH="13%">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD WIDTH="5%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">(iii)</TD>
  <TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left">To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the
  Registration Statement or any material change to such information in the Registration Statement; </P></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">provided, however, that paragraphs
  (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) above shall not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the Registrant pursuant to
  Section&nbsp;13 or Section&nbsp;15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:9%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(2) That, for
  the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time
  shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:9%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any
  of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(b) The undersigned Registrant hereby
  undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant&#146;s annual report pursuant to Section&nbsp;13(a) or Section&nbsp;15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of
  an employee benefit plan&#146;s annual report pursuant to Section&nbsp;15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
  therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(c) Insofar as
  indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the
  opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than
  the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
  connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification
  by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. </P>
  </DIV></Center>
  
  
  <p style="margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0em; page-break-before:always"> </p>
  <HR SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">
  
  
  <Center><DIV STYLE="width:8.5in" align="left">
   <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><A NAME="sig"></A>SIGNATURES </B></P>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets
  all of the requirements for filing on Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">S-8</FONT> and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Cambridge, Commonwealth
  of Massachusetts, on this 30<SUP STYLE="font-size:75%; vertical-align:top">th</SUP> day of January, 2025. </P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><DIV ALIGN="right">
  <TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="40%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
  
  
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  <TD WIDTH="7%"></TD>
  
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
  <TD WIDTH="92%"></TD></TR>
  
  
  <TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
  <TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="3"><B>AKEBIA THERAPEUTICS, INC.</B></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
  <TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
  <TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">By:</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE=" BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE="BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000">/s/ John P. Butler</TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
  <TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">Name: John P. Butler</TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
  <TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">Title: President and Chief Executive Officer</TD></TR>
  </TABLE></DIV>
  </DIV></Center>
  
  
  <p style="margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0em; page-break-before:always"> </p>
  <HR SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">
  
  
  <Center><DIV STYLE="width:8.5in" align="left">
   <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>POWER OF ATTORNEY AND SIGNATURES </B></P>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints John P. Butler and Erik J.
  Ostrowski, and each of them, either of whom may act without the joinder of the other as his or her true and lawful <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">attorneys-in-fact</FONT></FONT> and agents, with full power of
  substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all
  exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">attorneys-in-fact</FONT></FONT> and agents, and each of
  them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming
  all that said <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">attorneys-in-fact</FONT></FONT> and agents, or either of them, or their or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. </P>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the
  capacities and on the dates indicated. </P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
  <TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
  
  
  <TR>
  
  <TD WIDTH="38%"></TD>
  
  <TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
  <TD WIDTH="44%"></TD>
  
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
  <TD WIDTH="16%"></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt">
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Signature</B></P></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Capacity</B></P></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Date</B></P></TD></TR>
  
  
  <TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
  <TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
  <TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
  <TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
  <TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">/s/ Adrian Adams</P>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">Adrian Adams</P></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">Chairperson and Director</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>January&nbsp;30, 2025</TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
  <TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
  <TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
  <TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
  <TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">/s/ John P. Butler</P>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">John P. Butler</P></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">Director, President and Chief Executive Officer</P>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">(Principal Executive Officer)</P></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>January&nbsp;30, 2025</TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
  <TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
  <TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
  <TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
  <TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">/s/ Erik J. Ostrowski</P>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">Erik J. Ostrowski</P></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Business Officer and Treasurer</P>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">(Principal Financial Officer)</P></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>January&nbsp;30, 2025</TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
  <TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
  <TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
  <TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
  <TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">/s/ Richard C. Malabre</P>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">Richard C. Malabre</P></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer</P>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">(Principal Accounting Officer)</P></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>January&nbsp;30, 2025</TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
  <TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
  <TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
  <TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
  <TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">/s/ Ron Frieson</P>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">Ron Frieson</P></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">Director</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>January&nbsp;30, 2025</TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
  <TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
  <TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
  <TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
  <TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">/s/ Steven C. Gilman</P>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">Steven C. Gilman</P></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">Director</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>January&nbsp;30, 2025</TD></TR>
  </TABLE>
  </DIV></Center>
  
  
  <p style="margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0em; page-break-before:always"> </p>
  <HR SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">
  
  
  <Center><DIV STYLE="width:8.5in" align="left">
  
  <TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
  
  
  <TR>
  
  <TD WIDTH="38%"></TD>
  
  <TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
  <TD WIDTH="44%"></TD>
  
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
  <TD WIDTH="16%"></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt">
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Signature</B></P></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Capacity</B></P></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Date</B></P></TD></TR>
  
  
  <TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
  <TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
  <TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
  <TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
  <TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">/s/ Michael Rogers</P>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">Michael Rogers</P></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">Director</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>January&nbsp;30, 2025</TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
  <TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
  <TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
  <TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
  <TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">/s/ Cynthia Smith</P>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">Cynthia Smith</P></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">Director</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>January&nbsp;30, 2025</TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
  <TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
  <TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
  <TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
  <TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">/s/ Myles Wolf</P>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">Myles Wolf</P></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">Director</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>January&nbsp;30, 2025</TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
  <TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
  <TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
  <TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
  <TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">/s/ LeAnne M. Zumwalt</P>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">LeAnne M. Zumwalt</P></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">Director</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>January&nbsp;30, 2025</TD></TR>
  </TABLE>
  </DIV></Center>
  
  </BODY></HTML>
metadata_documents: [{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "filename": "d775128ds8.htm", "description": "S-8", "secsgml_size_bytes": 50756}]
metadata_filer: {"company-data": {"conformed-name": "Akebia Therapeutics, Inc.", "cik": "0001517022", "assigned-sic": "2834", "organization-name": "03 Life Sciences", "irs-number": "208756903", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-284590", "film-number": "25571189"}, "business-address": {"street1": "245 FIRST STREET", "city": "CAMBRIDGE", "state": "MA", "zip": "02142", "phone": "617-871-2098"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "245 FIRST STREET", "city": "CAMBRIDGE", "state": "MA", "zip": "02142"}}
text: S-8
  As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 30, 2025
  Registration
  No. 333-
  UNITED STATES
  SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
  WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
  FORM
  S-8
  REGISTRATION STATEMENT
  UNDER
  THE
  SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
  AKEBIA THERAPEUTICS, INC.
  (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
  Delaware
  20-8756903
  (State or other jurisdiction of
  incorporation or organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer
  Identification No.)
  245 First Street, Cambridge, MA
  02142
  (Address of Principal Executive Offices)
  (Zip Code)
  Inducement Stock Option Awards (January 2024 – December 2024)
  (Full title of the plan)
  Carolyn M. Rucci
  Senior
  Vice President, Legal and General Counsel and Secretary
  Akebia Therapeutics, Inc.
  245 First Street
  Cambridge, MA 02142
  (Name
  and address of agent for service)
  (617)
  871-2098
  (Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
  Please send copies of all communications to:
  Caroline Dotolo
  Wilmer
  Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP
  60 State Street
  Boston, MA 02109
  617-526-6000
  Indicate by check mark whether
  the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a
  non-accelerated
  filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated
  filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule
  12b-2
  of the Exchange Act.
  Large accelerated filer
  ☐
  Accelerated filer
  ☒
  Non-accelerated filer
  ☐
  Smaller reporting company
  ☒
  Emerging growth company
  ☐
  If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period
  for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☐
  PART I
  INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS
  Item 1. Plan Information.
  The information required
  by Item 1 is omitted from this Registration Statement and included in documents sent or given to participants in the plan covered by this Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 428(b)(1) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
  "Securities Act").
  Item 2. Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual Information.
  The written statement required by Item 2 is omitted from this Registration Statement and included in documents sent or given to participants in the plan
  covered by this Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 428(b)(1) of the Securities Act.
  PART II
  INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
  Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
  The Registrant is subject to the informational and reporting requirements of Sections 13(a), 14, and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
  (the "Exchange Act"), and in accordance therewith files reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). The following documents, which are on file with the
  Commission, are incorporated in this Registration Statement by reference:
  (a) The Registrant's Annual Report on Form
  10-K
  for the fiscal year ended December 
  31, 2023, as filed with the Commission on
  March
  14, 2024
  , including the information specifically
  incorporated by reference into the Registrant's Annual Report on Form
  10-K
  from the Registrant's definitive proxy statement for the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, filed with the Commission on
  April
  25, 2024
  ;
  (b) The Registrant's Quarterly Reports on Form
  10-Q
  for the
  fiscal quarters ended March 31, 2024, June 30, 2024 and September 
  30, 2024, as filed with the Commission on
  May
  9, 2024
  ,
  August
  8, 2024
  and
  November
  7, 2024
  , respectively;
  (c) The Registrant's Current Reports on Form
  8-K
  as filed with the Commission on
  January
  8, 2024
  ,
  January
  30, 2024
  ,
  February
  13, 2024
  ,
  March
  15, 2024
  ,
  March
  28, 2024
  ,
  April
  16, 2024
  ,
  April
  23, 2024
  ,
  June
  10, 2024
  ,
  June
  24, 2024
  ,
  July
  11, 2024
  ,
  October
  16, 2024
  , and
  January
  13, 2025
  . Any report or portion thereof "furnished" on Form
  8-K
  shall not be incorporated by reference; and
  (d) The description of the Registrant's securities
  contained in the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form
  8-A,
  as filed with the Commission on
  March 
  12, 2014
  under the Exchange Act, as the description therein has been updated and superseded by the description of the Registrant's capital stock contained in
  Exhibit
   4.6
  to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form
  10-K
  for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, as filed with the Commission on February 25, 2021, including any amendments or reports filed
  for the purpose of updating such description.
  All documents subsequently filed by the Registrant pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the
  Exchange Act, prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment that indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold or that deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this
  Registration Statement and to be part hereof from the date of the filing of such documents. Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for the
  purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document that also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement
  so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Registration Statement.
  Item 4. Description of Securities.
  Not applicable.
  Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and
  Counsel.
  Not applicable.
  Item 6.
  Indemnification of Directors and Officers
  The Registrant's Ninth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation contains provisions that
  eliminate, to the maximum extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the "DGCL"), the personal liability of directors for monetary damages for breach of their fiduciary duties as a director. The
  Registrant's Ninth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Second Amended and Restated Bylaws ("Amended and Restated Bylaws") provide that the Registrant shall indemnify its directors and executive officers and may
  indemnify its employees and other agents to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL.
  Section 145 of the DGCL empowers a Delaware corporation to
  indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the rights of
  the corporation) by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise. The indemnity may include expenses (including attorneys'
  fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person. The statute provides that it is not exclusive of other rights to which those seeking indemnification may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement,
  vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.
  Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL permits a corporation to provide in its charter that a
  director or officer of the corporation will not be personally liable to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director or officer, except for liability (1) for any breach of the
  director's or officer's duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (2) for a director's or officer's acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law,
  (3) for a director, for payments of unlawful dividends or unlawful stock purchases or redemptions, (4) for any transaction from which the director or officer derived an improper personal benefit or (5) for an officer, in any action by
  or in the right of the corporation.
  The Registrant has entered into indemnification agreements with each of its directors and officers, in addition to
  the indemnification provided for in the Registrant's Ninth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws.
  The
  Registrant maintains insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director or officer of the Registrant against any loss arising from any claim asserted against him or her and incurred by him or her in any such capacity, subject to certain
  exclusions.
  Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.
  Not applicable.
  Item 8. Exhibits.
  Exhibit
  No.
  Description
  4.1
  Ninth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (previously filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form
  8-K
  filed on March 28, 2014 (File
  No. 001-36352)
  and incorporated herein by reference).
  4.2
  Certificate of Amendment of Ninth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Akebia Therapeutics, Inc. (previously filed as Exhibit
   3.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form
  8-K,
  filed on June 9, 2020 (File
  No. 001-36352)
  and incorporated herein by reference).
  4.3
  Second Amended and Restated Bylaws (previously filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form
  8-K
  filed on April
  28, 2023 (File No.
  001-36352)
  and incorporated herein by reference)
  .
  5.1
  Opinion of Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP (filed herewith).
  23.1
  Consent of Ernst & Young LLP (filed herewith).
  23.2
  Consent of Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP (included in the opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1).
  24.1
  Power of attorney (included on the signature page of this Registration Statement under the caption "Power of Attorney and Signatures").
  99.1
  Form of Officer Inducement Award Stock Option Agreement under 2023 Stock Incentive Plan (Reflecting Clawback Policy) (previously
   filed as Exhibit 10.47 to the Company's Annual Report on Form
  10-K
  (001-36352)
  filed on March 14, 2024 and incorporated herein by reference).
  99.2
  Form of
  Non-Officer
  Inducement Award Stock Option Agreement under 2023 Stock Incentive Plan (filed herewith).
  107
  Filing Fee Table (filed herewith).
  Item 9. Undertakings.
  (a) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
  (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:
  (i)
  To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;
  (ii)
  To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the Registration Statement
  (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the Registration Statement; and
  (iii)
  To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the
  Registration Statement or any material change to such information in the Registration Statement;
  provided, however, that paragraphs
  (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) above shall not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the Registrant pursuant to
  Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement.
  (2) That, for
  the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time
  shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
  (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any
  of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
  (b) The undersigned Registrant hereby
  undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of
  an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
  therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
  (c) Insofar as
  indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the
  opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than
  the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
  connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification
  by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
  SIGNATURES
  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets
  all of the requirements for filing on Form
  S-8
  and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Cambridge, Commonwealth
  of Massachusetts, on this 30
  th
  day of January, 2025.
  AKEBIA THERAPEUTICS, INC.
  By:
  /s/ John P. Butler
  Name: John P. Butler
  Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
  POWER OF ATTORNEY AND SIGNATURES
  KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints John P. Butler and Erik J.
  Ostrowski, and each of them, either of whom may act without the joinder of the other as his or her true and lawful
  attorneys-in-fact
  and agents, with full power of
  substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all
  exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said
  attorneys-in-fact
  and agents, and each of
  them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming
  all that said
  attorneys-in-fact
  and agents, or either of them, or their or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the
  capacities and on the dates indicated.
  Signature
  Capacity
  Date
  /s/ Adrian Adams
  Adrian Adams
  Chairperson and Director
  January 30, 2025
  /s/ John P. Butler
  John P. Butler
  Director, President and Chief Executive Officer
  (Principal Executive Officer)
  January 30, 2025
  /s/ Erik J. Ostrowski
  Erik J. Ostrowski
  Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Business Officer and Treasurer
  (Principal Financial Officer)
  January 30, 2025
  /s/ Richard C. Malabre
  Richard C. Malabre
  Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer
  (Principal Accounting Officer)
  January 30, 2025
  /s/ Ron Frieson
  Ron Frieson
  Director
  January 30, 2025
  /s/ Steven C. Gilman
  Steven C. Gilman
  Director
  January 30, 2025
  Signature
  Capacity
  Date
  /s/ Michael Rogers
  Michael Rogers
  Director
  January 30, 2025
  /s/ Cynthia Smith
  Cynthia Smith
  Director
  January 30, 2025
  /s/ Myles Wolf
  Myles Wolf
  Director
  January 30, 2025
  /s/ LeAnne M. Zumwalt
  LeAnne M. Zumwalt
  Director
  January 30, 2025