Addressing the Disease Mechanism of a Rare Kidney Disease

IgA nephropathy is a rare autoimmune kidney disease that can lead to the loss of kidney function. Though a number of treatment options exist today, none address the root cause of the disease and instead seek to manage symptoms, slow progression, or prevent complications. Vera Therapeutics’ experimental fusion protein atacicept, in a phase 2B study, showed the ability to provide long-term kidney function stabilization. We spoke to Marshall Fordyce, founder and CEO of Vera Therapeutics, about IgA nephropathy, atacicept, and its potential in other B cell-mediated diseases.