Phase 3 Trials at Kidney Week 2026 Show New Promise for IgA Nephropathy Care

DENVER, CO — Results from a series of high-impact phase 3 clinical trials that could shape kidney-related medical care are being presented in person at American Society of Nephrology Kidney Week 2026, held October 22–25 in Denver, Colorado. The meeting brings together more than 12,000 kidney professionals from around the world, and among the most closely watched presentations are three trials testing new immunological therapies for IgA nephropathy, a kidney disease that often strikes patients at a young age and carries a significant lifetime risk of kidney failure.

The first of these involves atacicept, a drug that inhibits two cytokines implicated in the pathogenesis of IgA nephropathy: B-cell activating factor (BAFF), also known as B-lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS), and a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL). In the interim analysis of the phase 3 ORIGIN 3 trial, atacicept achieved a statistically significant reduction in the urinary protein-to-creatinine ratio at week 36. Following review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the drug received accelerated approval.

The latest analysis of ORIGIN 3, now extending through two years, showed additional benefits for patients. “ORIGIN 3 stands as a landmark trial in kidney medicine, demonstrating kidney protection with atacicept through stabilization of eGFR and a marked reduction in the risk of kidney disease progression,” said corresponding author Jonathan Barratt, MBChB, PhD, FRCP, of the University of Leicester. “The safety profile was comparable to placebo, with no evidence of increased infection risk.” Barratt added that, together with a small-volume, self-administered autoinjector, the findings represent an important advance for patients with IgA nephropathy.

A second phase 3 program, the VISIONARY trial, evaluated sibeprenlimab, an antibody that selectively targets APRIL, one of the immune-related drivers of IgA nephropathy. In the trial, sibeprenlimab reduced the risk of serious kidney function loss or kidney failure in adults with IgA nephropathy by 97 percent compared with placebo, with kidney function remaining stable over two years of follow-up.

“By selectively inhibiting APRIL, a fundamental driver of the disease, we are targeting the source of kidney damage and advancing what may be a new standard for treating IgA nephropathy,” said corresponding author Dana Rizk, MD, of the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

A third agent, telitacicept, takes a dual-inhibition approach, targeting both BLyS and APRIL in order to address the underlying pathogenesis of IgA nephropathy. In the phase 3 TELIGAN trial, investigators reported the two-year efficacy and safety of the dual inhibitor, showing that telitacicept slows kidney function loss and substantially reduces the risk of kidney failure in patients with high-risk IgA nephropathy, with a favorable safety profile.

“These 2-year findings confirm durable kidney protection for patients with high-risk IgA nephropathy,” said corresponding author Jicheng Lv, MD, PhD, of Peking University First Hospital.

BAFF and APRIL are cytokines involved in the pathogenesis of the condition, and blocking one or both of them has now been tested at scale in phase 3 populations across three separate trials, each reporting kidney-related outcomes over two years.

The results were presented at ASN Kidney Week 2026, which the society describes as the world’s premier nephrology meeting, offering participants opportunities to exchange knowledge, learn the latest scientific and medical advances, and hear discussions with leading experts in the field. Early programs began on October 21, with the Annual Meeting running October 22–25. ASN has been leading efforts to prevent, treat, and cure kidney diseases since 1966 and represents more than 20,000 members from 138 countries.

Subject of Research: Phase 3 clinical trial results for new IgA nephropathy therapies presented at ASN Kidney Week 2026

Article Title: High-impact clinical trials generate promising results for improving kidney health

Article References: High-impact clinical trials generate promising results for improving kidney health. Original publication (Bibliographic details unavailable.)

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Keywords: IgA nephropathy, kidney disease, clinical trials, ASN Kidney Week 2026, atacicept, sibeprenlimab, telitacicept, APRIL, BLyS, nephrology, kidney failure, phase 3 trials