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Three phase 3 IgA nephropathy readouts in one week: atacicept, sibeprenlimab and povetacicept, explained

NEJM published results for three drugs that target the BAFF/APRIL pathway between 22 and 23 October 2026. What each trial measured, what it found, and why the endpoints matter.

Published 2026-10-27 · 6 min read

Medical disclaimer: for information and education only. This is not medical advice. Do not start, stop or change any treatment based on this article. Consult a qualified healthcare professional about your own care. Full disclaimer.

The short version

In a single week, the New England Journal of Medicine published phase 3 results for three different drugs for IgA nephropathy, a kidney disease. All three block a signal called APRIL, and two also block a related signal called BAFF [1][2][3]:

  • Atacicept (ORIGIN 3, funded by Vera Therapeutics): final analysis. It slowed the loss of kidney function over two years compared with placebo [1].
  • Sibeprenlimab (VISIONARY, funded by Otsuka): final analysis. Kidney function stayed essentially stable over 24 months, while it declined on placebo [2].

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Sources

  1. Atacicept in IgA Nephropathy: Phase 3 Trial Final Efficacy Analysis (ORIGIN 3), N Engl J Med, published 22 Oct 2026
  2. Sibeprenlimab in IgA Nephropathy: Final Phase 3 Trial Analysis (VISIONARY), N Engl J Med, published 22 Oct 2026
  3. Interim Analysis of a Phase 3 Trial of Povetacicept in IgA Nephropathy (RAINIER), N Engl J Med, published 23 Oct 2026
  4. ClinicalTrials.gov record NCT04716231 (ORIGIN 3)
  5. ClinicalTrials.gov record NCT06564142 (RAINIER)

For information and education only. Not medical advice. Medical Week Daily summarizes published health news in plain language for general readers. It does not replace advice from your doctor, product labeling or regulatory documents. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional about your own care, and check the original source. Full medical disclaimer