Clinical trial Phase 3 Interventional Ages 18 and up

Atrasentan in Patients With IgA Nephropathy

Run by Novartis Pharmaceuticals · NCT04573478 · Data updated 2026-11-12

Fully enrolled, still running. This study is not taking new participants. Its registered completion date is 2028-04-14.

The ALIGN Study is a phase 3, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to compare the efficacy and safety of atrasentan to placebo in patients with IgA nephropathy (IgAN) at risk of progressive loss of renal function.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 3
Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
Enrollment404 (actual)
SponsorNovartis Pharmaceuticals
Industry-sponsored
Drugs / interventionsAtrasentan, Placebo, Zigakibart
Locations135 sites (Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, France, Germany and more)
Trial IDNCT04573478 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

Approximately 320 patients with biopsy-proven IgAN will be randomized to receive 0.75 mg atrasentan or placebo daily for 132 weeks. Subjects receive a maximally tolerated and stable dose of a RAS (renin-angiotensin system) inhibitor \[such as angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEi) or angiotensin-receptor antagonist (ARB)\] as part of standard of care. An exception will be made for subjects who are unable to tolerate RAS inhibitor therapy. Additional subjects receiving a stable dose of SGLT2i will be enrolled to the study. Enrollment in this SGLT2i stable stratum will be in accordance with local regulations in regions that prescribe SGLT2i and will be independent of the 320 subjects enrolled for the primary and secondary analyses. The primary objective of the study is to evaluate the effect of atrasentan versus placebo on proteinuria as measured by UPCR. Secondary and tertiary objectives include evaluating the change in kidney function over time as measured by eGFR, safety and tolerability. Subjects will have assessments of safety and efficacy over 2 ½ years. To facilitate study participation over this time period, where allowed by local regulations, options for remote study visits using telemedicine and home health may be offered. Subjects who complete treatment through Week 132 and complete the double-blinded portion of the study may be eligible to enroll in the open label (OL) extension of the study to receive atrasentan 0.75 mg daily for up to 48 weeks. Subjec…

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

Double-Blind period:

* Biopsy-proven IgA nephropathy.
* Receiving a maximally tolerated dose of RAS inhibitor therapy (ACEi or ARB) that has been stable for at least 12 weeks. Exceptions from this requirement will be made for subjects who are unable to tolerate RAS inhibitor therapy.
* Total urine protein ≥1 g/day as measured via 24-hour urine collection by central laboratory at Screening.
* eGFR of at least 30 mL/min/1.73 m\^2 at Screening based on the CKD-EPI equation.
* Willing and able to provide informed consent and comply with all study requirements.
* SGLT2i Stable Stratum Only - Receiving a stable dose of an SGLT2i (per Investigator choice) in addition to a maximally tolerated and optimized dose of a RAS inhibitor that has been stable for at least 12 weeks prior to Screening.
* All fertile men and WOCBP who engage in heterosexual intercourse must be willing to abide with highly effective forms of contraception, as specified in the protocol, throughout the study and for 1 month afterward. In WOCBP, use of contraceptive agents must have been started at least 1 month prior to Baseline.

Open-Label Period:

* Willing and able to provide informed consent and comply with all OL extension study visits and study procedures.
* Completed treatment through Week 132 and completed the Week 136 visit.
* All fertile men and WOCBP who engage in heterosexual intercourse must be willing to abide with highly effective forms of contraception, as specified in the protocol, throughout the study and for 1 month afterward. In WOCBP, use of contraceptive agents must have been continued after completing the double-blind portion of the study.

Substudy:

Subjects must meet ALL inclusion criteria to be enrolled.

* Subjects who provided written informed consent prior to initiation of any substudy-specific activities/procedures and are willing to comply with all substudy visits and substudy procedures.
* Completion of OL extension treatment through Week 48 visit or treated with atrasentan long enough to sufficiently determine its efficacy as per clinical judgement of the Principal Investigator.
* Stable on a maximally tolerated dose of ACEi and/or ARB for at least 12 weeks prior to substudy screening visit.
* All fertile men and WOCBP who engage in heterosexual intercourse must be willing to abide with highly effective forms of contraception, as specified in the protocol

Exclusion Criteria:

Double-blind period:

* Concurrent diagnosis of another cause of chronic kidney disease including diabetic kidney disease or another primary glomerulopathy.
* Clinical diagnosis of nephrotic syndrome.
* BNP value of \> 200 pg/mL at Screening.
* Platelet count \<80,000 per μL at Screening.
* History of organ transplantation (subjects with history of corneal transplant are not excluded).
* Use of systemic immunosuppressant medications.
* Hemoglobin below 9 g/dL at Screening or prior history of blood transfusion for anemia within 3 months of Screening.

Open-label period:

* eGFR \< 25 mL/min/1.73m\^2 or evidence of rapidly decreasing eGFR, including unrecovered acute kidney injury or expected to require renal replacement therapy within 3 months
* BNP value of \> 200 pg/mL at OL Screening.
* Platelet count \< 80,000 per μL at OL Screening.
* Hemoglobin below 9 g/dL at OL screening or prior history of blood transfusion for anemia within 3 months of OL Screening.

Substudy:

Subjects must meet NONE of the following exclusion criteria to be enrolled.

* Participants who are not receiving atrasentan at the time of substudy screening visit in the ALIGN OL extension study phase or had atrasentan interruption for longer than 2 weeks within last 24 weeks of substudy screening visit.
* ALIGN OL extension participants with insufficient compliance defined as less than 70%
* Plan to receive any investigational agent (other than atrasentan or zigakibart) or approved treatment for IgAN (other than a RAS inhibitor or SGLT2i). Other ETA receptor antagonists will not be allowed during substudy extension.
* eGFR \< 25 mL/min/1.73m2 or evidence of rapidly decreasing eGFR, including unrecovered acute kidney injury or expected to require renal replacement therapy within 3 months
* Ongoing treatment-related SAE or ongoing related severe AESI.
* Clinical suspicion of rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN).
* Received a live vaccination within 12 weeks prior to first substudy treatment administration in the substudy or plan to have a live vaccination within 6 months after the last dose of substudy treatment.
* BNP value of \> 200 pg/mL at substudy Screening.
* Blood pressure \>150 mmHg systolic or \>95 mmHg diastolic at screening
* Known history of heart failure or conditions relating to fluid overload.
* Known history of clinically significant liver disease or transaminase or bilirubin values more than twice the upper limit of normal at substudy screening.
* Type 1 diabetes; for type 2 diabetes, exclusion if HbA1c \>8%, evidence of diabetic changes on kidney biopsy performed for any reason, or history of diabetic microvascular/macrovascular disease
* Hemoglobin below 9 g/dL at substudy screening or prior history of blood transfusion for anemia within 3 months of substudy Screening.
* Newly diagnosed or history of malignancy.
* Pregnancy, breast feeding, or intent to become pregnant during the substudy period and until 24 weeks after last dose for females.
* Intent to father a child or donate sperm during the substudy period and until 24 weeks after last dose for males.
* History of an alcohol or illicit drug-related disorder within the past 3 years.
* History or evidence of any other clinically significant medical disorder, condition, disease, or laboratory finding that, in the discretion of the Investigator, constitutes an uncertain or unfavorable benefit-risk for continued long-term therapy with zigakibart.
* Use of systemic corticosteroid therapy (including budesonide) or other immunosuppressive therapy.
* Current severe infection at the time of first substudy treatment in the substudy or history of recurrent, severe, infections as determined by the Investigator.
* Any confirmed or suspected immunosuppressive or immune-deficient state.
* Newly diagnosed positive serology for hepatitis A virus IgM antibodies (anti-HAV IgM), hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), detectable hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA, hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies (participants who completed treatment and are persistently antibody positive but have documentation of negative HCV polymerase chain reaction \[PCR\] will be allowed), or antibodies to HIV-1 and/or HIV-2.
* Prior exposure to any therapy directed against APRIL.
* History of a previous severe allergic reaction with generalized urticaria, angioedema, or anaphylaxis.
* Screening weight \<45 kg or \>150 kg

Where it's running

  • University of Alabama at Birmingham
    Birmingham, Alabama, United States
  • Comprehensive Research Institute
    Alhambra, California, United States
  • Kidney Disease Medical Group
    Glendale, California, United States
  • Stanford University
    Stanford, California, United States
  • University of Florida
    Gainesville, Florida, United States
  • GA Nephrology Associates
    Lawrenceville, Georgia, United States
Show 44 more locations
  • NANI Research, LLC
    Hinsdale, Illinois, United States
  • NANI Research, LLC
    Fort Wayne, Indiana, United States
  • University of Louisville Physicians- Kidney Disease Program
    Louisville, Kentucky, United States
  • Tufts Medical Center
    Boston, Massachusetts, United States
  • Intermed Consultants
    Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
  • Pelican Point Dialysis - DaVita Clinical Research
    Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
  • Capital District Renal Physicians
    Clifton Park, New York, United States
  • Mountain Kidney and Hypertension Associates
    Asheville, North Carolina, United States
  • Brookview Hills Research Associates, LLC
    Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States
  • Lehigh Valley Hospital
    Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, United States
  • University of Pennsylvania
    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
  • Liberty Research Center
    Dallas, Texas, United States
  • El Paso Kidney Specialists
    El Paso, Texas, United States
  • Nephrology Associates Of Northern Virginia
    Fairfax, Virginia, United States
  • Swedish Health Services
    Seattle, Washington, United States
  • Centro Médico Ce.Re.Ca
    San Luis, San Luis Province, Argentina
  • Cemic
    Buenos Aires, Argentina
  • Hospital Britanico de Buenos Aires
    Buenos Aires, Argentina
  • Clinica de Nefrologia Urologia y Enf. Cardiovasculares
    Santa Fe, Argentina
  • Royal North Shore Hospital
    St Leonards, New South Wales, Australia
  • Melbourne Renal Research Group
    Reservoir, Victoria, Australia
  • Sunshine Hospital
    Saint Albans, Victoria, Australia
  • Box Hill Hospital
    Box Hill, Australia
  • Royal Brisbane & Women's Hospital
    Brisbane, Australia
  • Monash Medical Centre
    Clayton, Australia
  • Renal Research
    Gosford, Australia
  • Nepean Hospital
    Kingswood, Australia
  • Instituto Pró-Renal Brasil
    Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
  • Hospital das Clínicas Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - UFMG
    Belo Horizonte, Brazil
  • Centro de Pesquisa Clinica do Brasil
    Brasília, Brazil
  • Santa Casa de Misericordia de Porto Alegre
    Porto Alegre, Brazil
  • Praxis Pesquisa Médica
    Santo André, Brazil
  • Hospital das Clinicas da Faculdade de Medicina da USP
    São Paulo, Brazil
  • Hospital do Rim Fundacao Oswaldo Ramos
    São Paulo, Brazil
  • London Health Sciences Centre
    London, Ontario, Canada
  • Stephen S. Chow Medicine Professionals
    Toronto, Ontario, Canada
  • Dongguan Tungwah Hospital
    Dongguan, Dongguan, China
  • Fujian Medical University Union Hospital
    Fuzhou, Fujian, China
  • The First A ffliated Hospital of Baotou Medical College, Inner Mangolia University of Science and Technology
    Baotou, Inner Mongolia Autonomou, China
  • Jiangsu Province Hospital
    Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
  • The Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University
    Nantong, Jiangsu, China
  • Renji Hospital Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine
    Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, China
  • People's Hospital of Sichuan Province
    Chengdu, Sichuan, China
  • The First Affiliated Hospital Xinjiang Medical University
    Ürümqi, Xinjiang Uygur, China

+85 more sites. See ClinicalTrials.gov for the full list.

Study contacts

  • Principal investigator: Novartis Pharmaceuticals — Novartis Pharmaceuticals

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.