IgA nephropathy

What is IgA nephropathy?

IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is a progressive, rare kidney disease and is a major cause of chronic kidney disease and kidney failure.¹ Annually, around 25 people per million worldwide are newly diagnosed with IgAN.²

What causes IgAN?

IgAN disease is driven by four steps:^3,4

1. An abnormal form of immunoglobulin A (IgA) is produced.
2. Autoantibodies are made against this abnormal form of IgA.
3. Immune complexes containing IgA are formed.
4. These immune complexes deposit in the kidneys, triggering a series of downstream pathways, including an inflammatory response, leading to progressive kidney damage and loss of kidney function.

What are the symptoms of IgAN?

IgAN is particularly hard to diagnose. Individuals in the early stages of the disease often don’t show symptoms, resulting in many patients receiving a diagnosis after they have already experienced significant kidney damage.^5,6

IgAN can only be correctly diagnosed through a medical procedure called a kidney biopsy.⁷

Common signs and symptoms include:^5,7

Up to 30% of people who have IgAN with persistent higher levels of protein in their urine (≥1 g/day) may progress to kidney failure within 10 years.⁸ This can lead to patients requiring regular dialysis or a kidney transplant.⁹ However, diagnosing IgAN early can result in managing and potentially slowing disease progression before more kidney damage can occur.

The burden of IgAN 

The daily impact of IgAN on patients extends beyond just physical symptoms. IgAN can have repercussions that also hinder their capacity to work, engage socially, and pursue activities they are passionate about.^10-15

• 29.7% of people with IgAN experience depression.¹⁰
• Patients often experience fear and anxiety of disease progression and the potential need for kidney dialysis or transplant.^10,15
• Many people with IgAN can experience unemployment and productivity loss.^11,12

Meeting unmet patient needs

Current treatment options do not target the underlying disease drivers of IgAN.^1,16

IgAN is a heterogeneous disease, which means that patients may present with a variety of clinical characteristics.¹⁷ 

There is a need for a tailored approach to the treatment of patients with IgAN at risk of progression to kidney failure, with effective, well-tolerated treatments that can help slow or prevent progression to kidney failure and improve quality of life.^1,4,18

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