Phase III Fabhalta (iptacopan) data in C3 glomerulopathy (C3G) showing clinically meaningful and statistically significant 35.1% proteinuria reduction vs. placebo,- Novartis

Patients treated with Fabhalta in addition to supportive care achieved a 35.1% (p=0.0014) reduction in proteinuria (as measured by 24-hour urine protein to creatinine ratio [UPCR]) at 6 months when compared to placebo on top of supportive care. In many kidney diseases, proteinuria reduction is an increasingly recognized surrogate marker correlating with delaying progression to kidney failure.

Fabhalta is an oral Factor B inhibitor of the alternative complement pathway being investigated in adult patients with C3 glomerulopathy (C3G). Regulatory submissions, including to the FDA and EMA, for the adult C3G indication are planned for the second half of 2024.

“C3G is an overlooked and devastating illness that often strikes when people are young. The prognosis for patients with C3G is poor, and around half of the affected patients progress to kidney failure requiring dialysis or transplant within 10 years of being diagnosed,” said Marianne Silkjær Nielsen, Founder of CompCure, a Danish non-profit association committed to improving outcomes for individuals with C3G and immune complex membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (IC-MPGN). “Currently there are no therapies approved for C3G, but research into potential new treatments developed specifically for this disease gives us hope that we can improve outcomes for patients and blunt its emotional, physical and social effects.”

Additional data on the secondary endpoint of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), a measure of kidney function, showed a numerical improvement of +2.2 mL/min/1.73 m2 (p=0.1945) over 6 months with Fabhalta compared to placebo. The study also showed Fabhalta has a favorable safety profile with no new safety signals.

“This is an exciting milestone for patients and the potential future management of C3G. The hallmark of C3G is overactivation of part of the immune system called the alternative complement pathway, which damages the kidneys and leads to severe loss of kidney function in many patients. Currently used treatments don’t address the underlying biology of C3G and often come with significant side effects that add to the burden of the illness,” said Professor David Kavanagh, Professor of Complement Therapeutics & Honorary Consultant Nephrologist at the Faculty of Medical Sciences at Newcastle University and APPEAR-C3G Steering Committee Member. “Fabhalta is the first potential treatment that targets the alternative complement pathway in C3G, and its impact on measures of kidney damage and kidney function in this study, in addition to its safety profile, is encouraging for patients and the clinical community.”.

The APPEAR-C3G study continues with an additional 6-month, open-label period following the 6-month double-blind period, in which all patients receive Fabhalta, including those previously receiving placebo. These data will be presented at an upcoming medical meeting when available.

At ERA, Novartis is also presenting new data across its rare disease portfolio, including results for investigational atrasentan in IgA nephropathy (IgAN) from the 36-week interim analysis of the Phase III ALIGN study, additional data for Fabhalta in IgAN from the 9-month interim analysis of the Phase III APPLAUSE-IgAN study, long-term 33-month efficacy and safety data for Fabhalta in C3G from the Phase II extension study, 1-year Phase I/II data for investigational zigakibart in IgAN, and data from real-world studies in C3G and atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS).

About APPEAR-C3G APPEAR-C3G (NCT04817618) is a Phase III multicenter, randomized, double-blind, parallel group, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of twice-daily oral Fabhalta (200 mg) in C3G patients. In addition to the results from adult patients with C3G, enrollment is ongoing in a separate cohort of adolescent patients with C3G. The study comprises a 6-month double-blind period where adult patients were randomized 1:1 to receive Fabhalta or placebo on top of supportive care, followed by a 6-month open-label period where all patients receive Fabhalta (including those who were previously on placebo) .

The primary endpoint for the double-blind period was proteinuria reduction from baseline at 6 months for Fabhalta compared to placebo as measured by 24-hour UPCR. The primary endpoint for the open-label period is proteinuria reduction from baseline at 12 months for both treatment arms and proteinuria reduction from 6 to 12 months for the placebo arm. Secondary endpoints for the double-blind period include change in eGFR, proportion of participants meeting composite renal endpoint criteria ( less than 15% reduction in eGFR and ?50% reduction in UPCR), change in glomerular inflammation (as measured by disease total activity score in renal biopsy), change in patient reported fatigue (as measured by FACIT-Fatigue score), and safety and tolerability2,