April 24, 2020 John P. Butler Chief Executive Officer Akebia Therapeutics, Inc. 245 First Street Cambridge, MA 02142 Re: Akebia Therapeutics, Inc. Preliminary Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A Filed April 15, 2020 File No. 001-36352 Dear Mr. Butler: We have completed our review of your filing. We remind you that the company and its management are responsible for the accuracy and adequacy of their disclosures, notwithstanding any review, comments, action or absence of action by the staff. Sincerely, Division of Corporation Finance Office of Life Sciences cc: Andrea Paul, Esq.