Clinical trial Recruiting at 20 sites Phase 3 Interventional Ages 2 to 18

Iptacopan for children with primary IgA nephropathy

Official title: A Single-arm, Multicenter, Phase III Study to Assess Efficacy, Pharmacokinetics, Safety and Tolerability of Iptacopan in Pediatric Patients of 2 to <18 Years of Age With Primary Immunoglobulin A Nephropathy (IgAN)

Run by Novartis · NCT06994845 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This will try oral iptacopan in children aged 2 to <18 with primary IgA nephropathy to lower protein in the urine and check safety.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 3
Study typeInterventional
Ages2 Years to 18 Years
SexAll
Enrollment31 (estimated)
SponsorNovartis
Industry-sponsored
Drugs / interventionsrituximab, infliximab, canakinumab, cyclophosphamide, prednisone
Locations20 sites (Madera, California and 19 other locations)
StatusRecruiting
StartedNovember 27, 2025
Main results expectedJune 28, 2030
Study endsJune 30, 2030
Registry record updatedSeptember 9, 2026
Trial IDNCT06994845 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Children aged 2 to <18 years with biopsy-proven primary IgA nephropathy, proteinuria, eGFR ≥30 mL/min/1.73 m2, and biopsy findings within the specified fibrosis and crescent limits are the intended participants.

Probably not a fit

Patients with secondary causes of IgA deposition, advanced kidney failure (eGFR <30), extensive fibrosis or crescents beyond the inclusion limits, recent immunosuppressive treatment, or who do not meet age/weight criteria are unlikely to benefit from this protocol.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This open-label, single-arm, multicenter Phase III study will enroll about 34 pediatric patients with biopsy-proven primary IgA nephropathy to measure proteinuria reduction, pharmacokinetics, safety and tolerability over 52 weeks. Participants complete a screening and a 2-week run-in with two baseline UPCR measurements before starting treatment, and are followed for safety including cardiovascular surveillance. Enrollment is staggered by age: Cohort 1 (12 to <18 years, up to 22 participants) is enrolled first to gather safety, PK and biomarker data, then Cohort 2 (2 to <12 years, 12 participants). Key eligibility includes a qualifying kidney biopsy within 3 years with <50% tubulointerstitial fibrosis and <25% crescents, eGFR ≥30 mL/min/1.73 m2, and limits on recent immunosuppressive therapy.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, iptacopan could reduce proteinuria and slow kidney damage in children with primary IgA nephropathy while providing an oral targeted therapy option.

How similar studies have gone: Adult trials of iptacopan have shown reductions in proteinuria, but use in pediatric IgAN is largely untested and this protocol represents a pediatric-specific evaluation.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Male and female participants 2 to \< 18 years of age as of Day 1.
* eGFR ≥ 30 mL/min/1.73m2 where eGFR is calculated using the modified Schwartz formula at Screening and confirmed during the Run-in Period.
* Kidney biopsy-proven primary IgAN\*, with biopsy performed within 3 years of Screening with \< 50% tubulointerstitial fibrosis and \< 25% crescents. In case a kidney biopsy within 3 years from Screening is not available, a kidney biopsy may be performed if it is part of the planned diagnostic approach and clinical management of the participant.

  \* Note: Primary IgAN is defined as any IgAN that is proven by biopsy showing IgA deposits prevalent over the other classes of immunoglobulins and deemed not to be associated with causes of secondary IgAN as per clinical judgment of the Investigator.
* The minimum body weight for participants in Cohort 1 is 35 kg at Screening and confirmed at Baseline (Day 1).
* Proteinuria due to primary diagnosis of IgAN as assessed by UPCR ≥ 1 g/g (113 mg/mmoL) sampled from FMV at Screening on Day -90 and Day -60 as well as during the Run-in Period despite treatment with maximum tolerated dose of ACE inhibitor/ARB for at least 120 days prior to Day 1. Note: UPCR will be assessed based on one FMV sample at Day -90 and based on the geometric mean of 2 FMV samples for the Day -60 visit and during the Run-in Period.
* Vaccination against Neisseria meningitidis and Streptococcus pneumoniae infection is required prior to the start of study treatment. If the participant has not been previously vaccinated, or if a booster is required, vaccine should be given according to local guidelines at least 2 weeks prior to first study drug administration. If study treatment has to start earlier than 2 weeks post vaccination, prophylactic antibiotic treatment should be initiated.
* Vaccination against Haemophilus influenzae is recommended, according to local guidelines, at least 2 weeks before iptacopan.
* All participants must have been on supportive care including stable dose regimen of ACE inhibitor or ARB at either the locally approved maximal daily dose per body weight, or the maximally tolerated dose (per Investigator's judgment for pediatric use), for at least 120 days before first study drug administration. In addition, if participants are taking diuretics, other antihypertensive medication, or other background medication for IgAN (such as SGLT2 inhibitors), the doses should also be stabilized for at least 120 days prior to the first dosing of study treatment.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Any secondary IgAN observed at Screening (and confirmed at Baseline/Day 1) as defined by the Investigator; secondary IgAN can be associated with cirrhosis, celiac disease, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, herpes simplex virus infection, dermatitis herpetiformis, seronegative arthritis, small-cell carcinoma, lymphoma, disseminated tuberculosis, bronchiolitis obliterans, inflammatory bowel disease, and familial mediterranean fever.
* A clinical diagnosis of immunoglobulin A vasculitis (IgAV or Henoch-Schonlein purpura) based on typical palpable purpura with or without arthralgia and abdominal pain.
* Evidence of significant urinary obstruction or difficulty in voiding at Screening (and confirmed at Baseline/Day 1); any urinary tract disorder or any chronic kidney disease other than IgAN at Screening and before first study drug administration.
* Current acute kidney injury (AKI) defined by Acute Kidney Injury Network (AKIN) criteria within 4 weeks of screening.
* Presence of rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN) as defined by 50% decline in eGFR within 3 months prior to Screening or during the Screening and Run-in periods.
* Presence of nephrotic syndrome at Screening based on the investigator's judgment.
* History or current diagnosis of ECG abnormalities indicating significant risk for study participants such clinically significant cardiac arrhythmias, e.g. sustained ventricular tachycardia, or clinically significant second- or third-degree atrioventricular (AV) block without a pacemaker.
* History or current diagnosis of clinically significant echocardiogram abnormalities indicating significant risk for study participants including but not limited to clinically significant functional, morphological and/or structural abnormalities, which may include left ventricular ejection fraction \< 50% and/or left ventricular hypertrophy due to uncontrolled blood pressure at Screening.
* Participants of 12 to \< 18 years of age with systolic blood pressure (SBP) \< 80 mmHg or \> 150 mmHg, or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) \< 50 mmHg or \> 95 mmHg, or pulse rate \< 50 bpm or \> 110 bpm; participants of 6 to \< 12 years of age with SBP \< 70 mmHg or \> 140 mmHg, or DBP \< 40 mmHg or \> 90 mmHg or pulse rate \< 52 bpm or \> 156 bpm; participants of 2 to \< 6 years of age with SBP \< 70 mmHg or \> 120 mmHg, or DBP \< 40 mmHg or \> 80 mmHg or pulse rate \< 52 bpm or \> 156 bpm at Screening.
* Participants previously treated with immunosuppressive or other immunomodulatory agents such as but not limited to cyclophosphamide, rituximab, infliximab, canakinumab, mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) or mycophenolate sodium (MPS), calcineurin inhibitors, complement inhibitors (other than iptacopan), oral budesonide, systemic corticosteroids exposure (≥ 0.5 mg/kg/day of prednisone/prednisolone equivalent or \> 7.5 mg/d prednisone/prednisolone equivalent total exposure in a single day) within 120 days (or 180 days for rituximab) prior to first study drug administration. Participants treated with endothelin (receptor) antagonists (including sparsentan) within 120 days prior to first study drug administration.
* All transplanted participants (any solid organ transplantation, including bone marrow transplantation).
* History of recurrent invasive infections caused by encapsulated organisms, such as meningococcus and pneumococcus.
* Major concurrent comorbidities at Screening including but not limited to advanced cardiac disease (e.g. New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III (for 6 to \<18 years of age), Ross class III (for 2 to \< 6 years of age), severe pulmonary disease (e.g. World Health Organization (WHO) class III (for 17 years of age); Pulmonary Vascular Research Institute (PVRI) class III (for 2 to \< 17 years of age), or hepatic disease (e.g. active hepatitis) that in the opinion of the investigator precludes participation in the study.
* Current use of any homeopathic and/or herbal medications for IgAN disease progression, such as but not limited to Lei Gong Teng at Screening (and confirmed at Baseline/Day 1).

Other protocol-defined inclusion/exclusion criteria may apply

Where it's running

  • Valley Childrens Hospital
    Madera, California, United States
    Recruiting
  • Childrens Hospital Colorado
    Aurora, Colorado, United States
    Recruiting
  • Univ of Florida Shands Division
    Gainesville, Florida, United States
    Recruiting
  • Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia
    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
    Recruiting
  • Prim Childrens Hosp Inv Pharm
    Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
    Recruiting
  • Novartis Investigative Site
    Córdoba, Córdoba Province, Argentina
    Recruiting
Show 14 more locations
  • Novartis Investigative Site
    Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
    Recruiting
  • Novartis Investigative Site
    Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
    Recruiting
  • Novartis Investigative Site
    Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
    Recruiting
  • Novartis Investigative Site
    Beijing, China
    Recruiting
  • Novartis Investigative Site
    Hong Kong, Hong Kong
    Recruiting
  • Novartis Investigative Site
    Beersheba, Israel
    Recruiting
  • Novartis Investigative Site
    Haifa, Israel
    Recruiting
  • Novartis Investigative Site
    Jerusalem, Israel
    Recruiting
  • Novartis Investigative Site
    Petah Tikva, Israel
    Recruiting
  • Novartis Investigative Site
    Toyoake, Aichi-ken, Japan
    Recruiting
  • Novartis Investigative Site
    Kurume, Fukuoka, Japan
    Recruiting
  • Novartis Investigative Site
    Ōtsu, Shiga, Japan
    Recruiting
  • Novartis Investigative Site
    Fuchū, Tokyo, Japan
    Recruiting
  • Novartis Investigative Site
    Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
    Recruiting

Study contacts

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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.
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Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.