Novartis Reports Positive Results for Atrasentan in IgA Nephropathy Study

Novartis Reports Positive Results for Atrasentan in IgA Nephropathy Study

(IN BRIEF) Novartis has reported positive interim results from its Phase III ALIGN study involving atrasentan, an oral endothelin A receptor antagonist, for the treatment of IgA nephropathy (IgAN). The study demonstrated that atrasentan significantly reduced proteinuria (excess protein in urine) compared to a placebo in IgAN patients receiving supportive care. This marks a crucial development as IgAN is a leading cause of kidney disease and failure. Novartis plans to seek accelerated approval for atrasentan in the United States based on these results. The study is ongoing to evaluate kidney function, with final results expected in early 2026.

(PRESS RELEASE) BASEL, 30-Oct-2022 — /EuropaWire/ — Novartis (SWX: NOVN), a Swiss multinational pharmaceutical company, today unveiled promising topline results from the interim analysis of the pivotal Phase III ALIGN study (NCT04573478) investigating atrasentan, an oral endothelin A receptor antagonist (ERA), in patients grappling with IgA nephropathy (IgAN)¹. At the 36-week interim analysis, the study successfully achieved its primary efficacy endpoint, demonstrating that atrasentan exhibited superiority over placebo. It showcased a clinically meaningful and highly statistically significant reduction in proteinuria (presence of excess protein in urine) among IgAN patients receiving supportive care, characterized by the maximally tolerated and stable dose of a renin-angiotensin system (RAS) inhibitor¹. The safety profile of atrasentan in this study remained consistent with previously reported data from the Phase II AFFINITY study’s IgAN cohort^1,2–4. Encouraged by these interim findings on proteinuria, Novartis intends to submit an application for possible accelerated approval in the US in 2024.

“These positive topline Phase III data showcase the potential of atrasentan to improve outcomes for patients with IgAN by demonstrating clinically meaningful proteinuria reduction,” said Shreeram Aradhye, M.D., President, Development and Chief Medical Officer, Novartis. “Along with investigational iptacopan, which recently also showed positive topline Phase III results, and investigational zigakibart, our development portfolio of three highly differentiated late-stage therapies in IgAN has the potential to provide much-needed treatment options for people living with this debilitating disease.”

IgA nephropathy is a prominent contributor to chronic kidney disease and kidney failure, predominantly affecting young adults⁵. Disturbingly, up to 30% of individuals with IgAN who exhibit persistent high levels of proteinuria (≥1 g/day) are at risk of progressing to kidney failure within a decade⁶. Consequently, there is a pressing need for efficacious therapies in IgAN that can effectively slow down the progression to kidney failure^5,7,8.

Atrasentan, an investigational oral endothelin A receptor antagonist, currently in development for IgAN and other rare kidney diseases, became part of Novartis’ portfolio following the recent acquisition of Chinook Therapeutics. This acquisition also included zigakibart (BION-1301), an investigational subcutaneously administered anti-APRIL monoclonal antibody in Phase III development for IgAN⁹. These additions, along with an early-stage pipeline, bolster Novartis’ renal portfolio, which already includes iptacopan, an investigational factor B inhibitor that recently reported positive Phase III interim results in IgAN¹⁰. Novartis is diligently advancing the development of these three potential therapeutic options, each with distinct mechanisms of action, to address unmet needs not only in IgAN but also in other rare kidney diseases.

The ALIGN study remains ongoing in a blinded fashion, focusing on evaluating changes in kidney function over 136 weeks, as measured by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Topline results from the confirmatory endpoint analysis are anticipated in the first quarter of 2026^11,12.

About the study
The ALIGN study (NCT04573478) is a global, randomized, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase III clinical trial comparing the efficacy and safety of atrasentan versus placebo in patients with IgAN at risk of progressive loss of kidney function^11,12. Approximately 340 patients with biopsy-proven IgAN with baseline total proteinuria over one gram per day despite optimized RAS inhibitor treatment were randomized to receive once-daily oral doses of atrasentan (0.75 mg) or placebo for approximately 2.5 years (132 weeks)^11,12. Patients continue receiving a maximally tolerated and stable dose of a RAS (renin-angiotensin system) inhibitor as supportive care (unless they are unable to tolerate RAS inhibitor therapy)^11,12. An additional group of up to 64 patients receiving a stable dose of SGLT2 inhibitor for at least 12 weeks have also been enrolled^11,12.

The primary efficacy endpoint of the study is change in proteinuria as measured by urine protein to creatinine ratio (UPCR) from baseline to 36 weeks^11,12. Secondary and exploratory objectives include evaluating the change in kidney function from baseline to week 136 as measured by eGFR, as well as safety and tolerability^11,12. Topline results from the confirmatory endpoint analysis are expected in the first quarter of 2026^11,12.

About atrasentan
Atrasentan is an investigational oral endothelin A receptor antagonist (ERA), currently in Phase III development for IgAN and early-stage development for other rare kidney diseases^{2–4,9,11,12}. Atrasentan has shown significant reductions in proteinuria versus baseline in a Phase II trial for IgAN^2-4.

About IgA nephropathy (IgAN)
IgAN is a progressive, rare kidney disease that mostly affects young adults⁵. It is estimated that approximately 110,000 people in the US and 47,000 people across 10 European countries live with IgAN, with approximately 25 people per million newly diagnosed with IgAN each year globally^5,13–16.

In IgAN, autoimmune reaction to an abnormal form of IgA results in formation of immune complexes that deposit in the kidney^5,7,17–19. These immune complexes trigger an inflammatory response leading to progressive kidney damage and loss of kidney function^5,7,17–19. Up to 30% of people who have IgAN with persistent higher levels of proteinuria (≥1 g/day) progress to kidney failure within 10 years⁶.

There is a need for effective therapies for IgAN that can help slow progression to kidney failure^5,7,8.

Disclaimer
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by words such as “plans,” “accelerated,” “continues,” “advancing,” “potential,” “to address,” “ongoing,” “to submit,” “transform,” “investigational,” “advancing,” “will,” to evaluate,” “can,” “expected,” “progressive,” or similar terms, or by express or implied discussions regarding potential marketing approvals, new indications or labeling for atrasentan or the other investigational or approved products described in this press release, or regarding potential future revenues from such products. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on our current beliefs and expectations regarding future events, and are subject to significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. There can be no guarantee that atrasentan or the other investigational or approved products described in this press release will be submitted or approved for sale or for any additional indications or labeling in any market, or at any particular time. Nor can there be any guarantee that such products will be commercially successful in the future. In particular, our expectations regarding atrasentan or the other investigational or approved products described in this press release could be affected by, among other things, the uncertainties inherent in research and development, including clinical trial results and additional analysis of existing clinical data; regulatory actions or delays or government regulation generally; global trends toward health care cost containment, including government, payor and general public pricing and reimbursement pressures and requirements for increased pricing transparency; our ability to obtain or maintain proprietary intellectual property protection; the particular prescribing preferences of physicians and patients; general political, economic and business conditions, including the effects of and efforts to mitigate pandemic diseases; safety, quality, data integrity or manufacturing issues; potential or actual data security and data privacy breaches, or disruptions of our information technology systems, and other risks and factors referred to in Novartis AG’s current Form 20-F on file with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Novartis is providing the information in this press release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

About Novartis
Novartis is a focused innovative medicines company. Every day, we work to reimagine medicine to improve and extend people’s lives so that patients, healthcare professionals and societies are empowered in the face of serious disease. Our medicines reach more than 250 million people worldwide.

Reimagine medicine with us: Visit us at https://www.novartis.com and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, X/Twitter and Instagram.

References

1. Novartis data on file.
2. Chinook Therapeutics Presents Updated Data from Atrasentan Phase 2 AFFINITY IgA Nephropathy (IgAN) Patient Cohort, Preclinical Atrasentan Research and Ongoing Clinical Trials at the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) Kidney Week 2022. Chinook Therapeutics, Inc. Accessed October 18, 2023. https://investors.chinooktx.com/news-releases/news-release-details/chinook-therapeutics-presents-updated-data-atrasentan-phase-2
3. Kim SG, Akinfolarin AA, Inker LA, et al. WCN23-1117 ATRASENTAN IN PATIENTS WITH PROTEINURIC GLOMERULAR DISEASES – THE AFFINITY STUDY. Kidney Int Rep. 2023;8(9):1902. doi:10.1016/j.ekir.2023.02.1089.
4. Kim SG, Inker LA, Packham DK, et al. WCN23-1126 ATRASENTAN FOR THE TREATMENT OF IGA NEPHROPATHY: INTERIM RESULTS OF THE AFFINITY STUDY. Kidney Int Rep. 2023;8(9):1902. doi:10.1016/j.ekir.2023.02.1088.
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6. Reich HN, Troyanov SAA, Scholey JW, Cattran DC. Remission of Proteinuria Improves Prognosis in IgA Nephropathy. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2007;18(12):3177-3183. doi:10.1681/ASN.2007050526.
7. Boyd JK, Cheung CK, Molyneux K, Feehally J, Barratt J. An update on the pathogenesis and treatment of IgA nephropathy. Kidney Int. 2012;81(9):833-843. doi:10.1038/ki.2011.501.
8. Xie J, Kiryluk K, Wang W, et al. Predicting Progression of IgA Nephropathy: New Clinical Progression Risk Score. Moura IC, ed. PLoS ONE. 2012;7(6):e38904. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0038904.
9. Novartis completes acquisition of Chinook Therapeutics. Novartis. Accessed October 18, 2023. https://www.novartis.com/news/media-releases/novartis-completes-acquisition-chinook-therapeutics
10. Novartis investigational iptacopan Phase III study demonstrates clinically meaningful and highly statistically significant proteinuria reduction in patients with IgA nephropathy (IgAN). Novartis. Accessed October 18, 2023. https://www.novartis.com/news/media-releases/novartis-investigational-iptacopan-phase-iii-study-demonstrates-clinically-meaningful-and-highly-statistically-significant-proteinuria-reduction-patients-iga-nephropathy-igan
11. ClinicalTrials.gov. Atrasentan in Patients With IgA Nephropathy (ALIGN). NCT04573478. Accessed October 18, 2023. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04573478
12. Lambers Heerspink H, Jardine M, Kohan DE, et al. WCN23-1085 A PHASE 3, RANDOMIZED, DOUBLE-BLIND, PLACEBO-CONTROLLED STUDY OF ATRASENTAN IN PATIENTS WITH IGA NEPHROPATY- THE ALIGN STUDY. Kidney Int Rep. 2023;8(3):S279-S280. doi:10.1016/j.ekir.2023.02.630.
13. McGrogan A, Franssen CFM, de Vries CS. The incidence of primary glomerulonephritis worldwide: a systematic review of the literature. Nephrol Dial Transplant. 2011;26(2):414-430. doi:10.1093/ndt/gfq665.
14. Lerma EV, Bensink ME, Thakker KM, et al. Impact of Proteinuria and Kidney Function Decline on Health Care Costs and Resource Utilization in Adults With IgA Nephropathy in the United States: A Retrospective Analysis. Kidney Med. 2023;5(9). doi:10.1016/j.xkme.2023.100693.
15. U.S. Census Bureau. QuickFacts: United States. Accessed October 26, 2023. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/US/PST045222
16. Willey CJ, Coppo R, Schaefer F, Mizerska-Wasiak M, Mathur M, Schultz MJ. The incidence and prevalence of IgA nephropathy in Europe. Nephrol Dial Transplant. 2023;38(10):2340-2349. doi:10.1093/ndt/gfad082.
17. Lafayette RA, Kelepouris E. Immunoglobulin A Nephropathy: Advances in Understanding of Pathogenesis and Treatment. Am J Nephrol. 2018;47(Suppl. 1):43-52. doi:10.1159/000481636.
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19. Rodrigues JC, Haas M, Reich HN. IgA Nephropathy. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. 2017;12(4):677-686. doi:10.2215/CJN.07420716.

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SOURCE: Novartis