Novartis presented 12-month data from the Phase III APPEAR-C3G study at American Society of Nephrology (ASN) Kidney Week 2024 showing that patients with C3 glomerulopathy (C3G) treated with oral Fabhalta^® (iptacopan) in addition to supportive care experienced clinically meaningful, sustained results at one year.

These data confirm treatment with Fabhalta resulted in clinically meaningful proteinuria reduction, which was seen as early as 14 days, and sustained at 12 months. Similarly, in an open-label period of the study, proteinuria reduction was seen in participants who were switched to Fabhalta. In addition, improvement in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) slope was observed upon Fabhalta initiation compared to patients’ historic rapid decline based on results from a prespecified exploratory analysis. Fabhalta showed a favorable safety profile, with no new safety signals.

APPEAR-C3G evaluated the efficacy and safety of twice-daily oral Fabhalta in adult patients with C3G. The study was comprised of a 6-month randomized, double-blind treatment period with Fabhalta compared to placebo, followed by an additional 6-month open-label treatment period where all participants received Fabhalta. Results previously presented at the 2024 European Renal Association (ERA) Congress demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful 35.1% proteinuria reduction vs. placebo on top of supportive care at 6 months.

Longer-term data show sustained results with oral Fabhalta
“As a clinician treating young people living with C3G, I see firsthand the challenges with therapies used to treat this condition, underscoring the vital need for dedicated treatment for these patients,” said Carla Nester, M.D., M.S.A., F.A.S.N., Professor of Pediatrics-Nephrology at the University of Iowa and APPEAR-C3G Co-Investigator. “I am encouraged to see these data, which reinforce the clinically meaningful impact on kidney health measures we saw at 6 months. As the only oral complement inhibitor intended to treat C3G, Fabhalta could provide new hope for people living with this condition.”

“These results mark an important milestone for the management of C3G, as the first study to shed light on longer-term treatment targeting the underlying mechanism of this disease via the alternative complement pathway,” said Andrew Bomback, M.D., M.P.H., Associate Professor of Medicine at Columbia University Irving Medical Center and APPEAR-C3G Co-Investigator and Steering Committee Member. “I am optimistic that these iptacopan APPEAR-C3G findings bring us a step closer to revolutionizing the treatment paradigm in this ultra-rare disease with no approved therapies.”

Approximately 50% of C3G patients progress to kidney failure within 10 years of diagnosis, at which point they require lifelong dialysis and/or kidney transplantation.^4,7

Fabhalta, the only oral Factor B inhibitor of the alternative complement pathway, has potential to be the first US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved treatment for C3G.^2,4,5 Regulatory submissions for Fabhalta in C3G are completed in the EU, China and Japan, and expected in US by year-end.

Transforming patient care in kidney disease
“We are thrilled to share these data, which demonstrate the potential of Fabhalta in C3G, and look forward to working with regulatory authorities with the goal of bringing this innovative medicine to this patient community," said David Soergel, M.D., Global Head, Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism Development Unit, Novartis. “Building on the longstanding experience of Novartis in nephrology and our first rare kidney disease approval in IgA nephropathy earlier this year, these results in C3G show continued advancement of our broad, industry-leading portfolio, which aims to transform care for these patients.”

Fabhalta, discovered at Novartis, received FDA approval in December 2023 for the treatment of adults with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) and accelerated approval in August 2024 for the reduction of proteinuria in certain adults with primary IgA nephropathy (IgAN).² Fabhalta is being studied in a broad range of rare kidney diseases, including C3G, atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), immune complex membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (IC-MPGN) and lupus nephritis (LN). Studies are ongoing to evaluate the safety and efficacy profiles in these investigational indications and support potential regulatory submissions.

In addition to Fabhalta, Novartis is advancing the late-stage development of two additional IgAN therapies with highly differentiated mechanisms of action: atrasentan, an investigational oral endothelin A receptor antagonist that received FDA filing acceptance in Q2 2024, and zigakibart, an investigational subcutaneously administered anti-APRIL monoclonal antibody that is currently in Phase III development.