Abstract: FR-PO869
Complement and B Cell Modifying Pipeline to Address Unmet Needs in IgA Nephropathy (IgAN)
Session Information
- IgA Nephropathy: Clinical, Outcomes, and Therapeutics
October 25, 2024 | Location: Exhibit Hall, Convention Center
Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Category: Glomerular Diseases
- 1402 Glomerular Diseases: Clinical, Outcomes, and Therapeutics
Authors
- Snyder, Justin, Spherix Global Insights, Exton, Pennsylvania, United States
- Weiss, Meghan, Spherix Global Insights, Exton, Pennsylvania, United States
Background
Therapeutic developments for IgA nephropathy (IgAN) are at the forefront of innovation, supported by the accelerated approval of two recently apprproducts and a robust pipeline with various mechanisms of action. In upcoming years, new products will likely be available that will further help physicians address IgAN at the pathogenic level.
Methods
Data from 454 audited patient charts were collected in partnership with 142 US nephrologists in January 2024 and in partnership with an additional 105 US nephrologists in February 2024 via online surveys.
Results
With the approvals of delayed-release oral budesonide and sparsentan in IgAN, most nephrologists (80%) indicate that they feel better equipped to treat their IgAN patients. Currently, 72% and 66% of nephrologists are using budesonide or sparsentan, respectively, positioned as third-line or later treatments after RAASi and SGLT2 inhibitors. However, nearly half (46%) remain unconvinced that they can achieve the desired proteinuria goals with only the existing therapies.
It is theorized that the Peyer’s patches are the main source of the galactose-deficient (Gd) IgA1 antibodies that cause damage and inflammation to the kidneys, yetand almost one-half (4357%) of nephrologists are unconvinced that targeting the Peyer’s patch is an important goal in treatment. However, 68% of nephrologists agree that IgAN is a B-cell mediated disease, where the root cause of Gd-IgA1 production comes from overstimulated B-cells and plasma cells. Additionally, 76% believe that the complement system plays an active role in the pathogenicity of IgAN.
There are several IgAN pipeline agents that potentially target B-cell and plasma factors. Two products that are in Phase 3 trials include iptacopan, which is a complement factor B inhibitor, and atacicept, which is a B lymphocyte stimulator (BlyS) inhibitor and a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) inhibitor that targets B cells and plasma cells. If approved, nephrologists indicate that they would be at least somewhat likely to prescribe iptacopan or atacicept to approximately one-third of the IgAN patients included in the study.
Conclusion
Nephrologists continue to see an unmet need in the IgAN space, leaving room for new market entrants to effectively treat the root cause of the disease and further enable physicians to individualize treatments.