Novartis receives USFDA accelerated approval for Vanrafia for proteinuria reduction in primary IgA nephropathy

"The approval marks an important milestone for people living with IgA nephropathy, offering a new option that can be seamlessly integrated into their existing treatment plan, with no REMS requirement," said Richard Lafayette, M.D., F.A.C.P., Professor of Medicine, Nephrology and Director of the Glomerular Disease Center at Stanford University Medical Center, and Vanrafia ALIGN Study Investigator and Steering Committee Member. "Vanrafia is a selective ETA receptor antagonist that effectively reduces proteinuria, a major risk factor in IgAN. Taking early, decisive action is critical to help improve outcomes for these patients who too often progress toward kidney failure."

IgAN is a progressive, rare kidney disease in which the immune system attacks the kidneys, often causing glomerular inflammation and proteinuria. With almost 13 out of every million people in the US diagnosed per year, it is one of the most common autoimmune kidney diseases, and each person's journey is unique. Up to 50% of IgAN patients with persistent proteinuria progress to kidney failure within 10 to 20 years of diagnosis, often requiring maintenance dialysis and/or kidney transplantation, and response to treatment can vary. Effective, targeted therapies with different mechanisms of action can help physicians select the most appropriate treatment for patients.

"My son was diagnosed with IgA nephropathy long before there were any medicines approved to treat this condition, so the availability of multiple treatment options is incredibly meaningful for this community," said Bonnie Schneider, Director and Co-Founder, IgA Nephropathy Foundation. "The approval of Vanrafia broadens the treatment landscape and expands the opportunity to tailor care in a disease that can impact each patient so differently."