A new drug trial may provide hope for people living with certain diseases. For people living with IgA nephropathy (IgAN), a disease that can progress to kidney failure, a new clinical trial suggests that VOYXACT (sibeprenlimab) may not only lower protein levels in the urine but also slow the decline in kidney function.
IgA nephropathy (also known as Berger disease) is an autoimmune kidney condition that occurs when antibodies accumulate and start to attack the kidneys. The result is often inflammation, and over time, the kidneys become unable to filter waste from the blood. This increases the risk of dialysis or kidney transplantation.
One of the main signs of IgA nephropathy is excessive protein in the urine. Doctors — typically a nephrologist — tailor treatment for the kidney condition based on the patient’s protein levels. But experts say the bigger goal is to keep the kidneys healthy and functioning properly for as long as possible.
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In the latest analysis, researchers found early signs that VOYXACT may help protect the kidneys. After one year of treatment, people taking the drug saw their kidney function stay stable or slightly improve, while those taking a placebo experienced a decline in kidney function. Overall, the difference suggests VOYXACT may help slow the progression of kidney damage in people with IgA nephropathy, though longer studies are needed to confirm the benefits.
“For people living with IgA nephropathy, slowing the loss of kidney function is one of the most important goals of treatment,” researchers said while presenting the findings at the 2026 European Renal Association Congress.
The results are especially encouraging because VOYXACT was granted FDA accelerated approval based on proteinuria reduction as a surrogate endpoint, with traditional approval still pending. These new findings suggest it may also help slow the disease itself by protecting kidney function over time.
VOYXACT also reduced proteinuria (protein in the urine) and other disease-related biomarkers while maintaining a safety profile comparable to placebo. Otsuka, the drug’s manufacturer, has begun submitting data to the FDA to seek traditional approval based on longer-term kidney function outcomes.
The findings may be especially meaningful for Black Americans, who battle kidney disease at higher rates. According to the National Kidney Foundation, Black Americans are nearly four times more likely than white Americans to develop kidney failure. They also account for more than 35 percent of people receiving dialysis. Structural inequities, barriers to healthcare access, and higher rates of conditions such as hypertension and diabetes all contribute to these disparities.
RELATED: Nearly 35% of People with Kidney Failure are Black – Why?
Chronic kidney disease remains a major public health challenge in the United States. More than one in seven U.S. adults is estimated to have chronic kidney disease, and many do not know they have it until significant kidney damage has already occurred. Treatments that can slow disease progression may help reduce the need for dialysis, transplantation, and other life-altering complications.
While additional follow-up is needed, the new findings offer hope that future treatments for IgA nephropathy may not only reduce symptoms but also help protect sufferers from the worst-case scenario.
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