Novartis Announces Iptacopan Met Phase II Study Primary Endpoint in Rare Kidney Disease IgA Nephropathy (IgAN)

Novartis today announced Phase II primary endpoint data showing investigational iptacopan (LNP023) – a first-in-class, oral, targeted factor B inhibitor – reduced protein in the urine (proteinuria), an increasingly recognized surrogate marker correlating with progression to kidney failure, and showed promise in stabilizing kidney function in patients with IgA nephropathy (IgAN). The data were presented at the 58^th ERA-EDTA Congress held virtually from June 5–8, 2021.

In the Phase II study (NCT03373461), patients (n=112) with IgAN were randomized to placebo or different doses of iptacopan. The primary endpoint was met with a statistically significant (p=0.038) dose response effect on reduction in proteinuria (as measured by 24-hour urinary protein to creatine ratio [UPCR 24h]) with iptacopan vs. placebo, at 90 days. At the highest dose of 200mg twice daily a 23% reduction in proteinuria was predicted, compared with placebo, at 90 days.

“IgAN is a devastating disease with no currently approved treatments. These efficacy data, seen after 90 days of treatment, along with the safety profile, offer hope that inhibition of the alternative complement pathway with iptacopan may be an effective way to delay IgAN disease progression,” said study lead author Jonathan Barratt, Professor of Renal Medicine, University of Leicester and nephrology consultant, Leicester General Hospital. “These data highlight the ability of iptacopan to address one of the key drivers for this disease and its potential to provide a much-needed, targeted treatment for people living with IgAN.”

Iptacopan also demonstrated a trend towards stabilizing kidney function, as assessed by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR): a key measure of kidney clearance function that estimates the rate of blood passing through and being filtered by the kidneys. Additionally, iptacopan showed a favorable safety and tolerability profile.

“Complement-driven renal diseases, such as IgAN, are devastating and mostly affect young adults, imposing a high disease burden. These new data in IgAN add to the growing body of evidence around the potential of iptacopan to target a key driver in these rare renal diseases,” said John Tsai, Head of Global Drug Development and Chief Medical Officer at Novartis. “Conscious of the significant patient need for disease-modifying treatment options, we are rapidly advancing clinical development of iptacopan with the Phase III IgAN trial APPLAUSE already underway.”

Iptacopan is the most advanced asset in the company’s nephrology pipeline and targets the alternative complement pathway, a key driver of complement-driven renal diseases (CDRDs). New data from an interim analysis of a Phase II study of iptacopan in C3 glomerulopathy (C3G) – another CDRD – will also be presented at the congress on Monday 07 June 2021 at 12:30 p.m. CEST. Novartis has plans to initiate additional Phase III studies in other renal indications.

Iptacopan is also in development for a life-threatening blood disorder, paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH). Based on disease prevalence and positive data from Phase II studies, iptacopan has received EMA orphan drug designation in IgAN, orphan drug designations from the FDA and EMA in C3G and PNH, FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation in PNH, and EMA PRIME designation for C3G.