Telitacicept Slows Kidney Decline in IgA Nephropathy
A phase 3 trial found the drug reduced proteinuria and stabilized kidney function over two years compared with placebo.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Allergies
In the phase 3 TELIGAN trial, adults with biopsy-confirmed IgA nephropathy who received telitacicept showed a 55% reduction in proteinuria versus placebo at 9 months. The drug also stabilized kidney function through 2 years, with a 5.1 mL/min/1.73 m² between-group difference in mean eGFR change.
Why it matters
IgA nephropathy is a kidney disease that can progress to kidney failure, and the trial results suggest telitacicept may slow that progression. The drug is already approved in China for systemic lupus erythematosus but is not approved for use in the United States.
The phase 3 TELIGAN trial reported a 55% proteinuria reduction versus placebo at 9 months and a 5.1 mL/min/1.73 m² difference in mean eGFR change through week 104. Outcomes beyond two years and the drug's regulatory path outside China remain unaddressed in the available findings.
The players
TELIGAN trial
A phase 3 randomized, placebo-controlled study evaluating telitacicept in adults with IgA nephropathy, presented at ASN Kidney Week in Denver.
Telitacicept
A dual BAFF and APRIL antagonist that is approved in China for systemic lupus erythematosus and is not approved in the United States.
The details
Patients with biopsy-confirmed IgA nephropathy were randomly assigned 1:1 to weekly 240 mg telitacicept or placebo for the first 39 weeks, then telitacicept was given biweekly from weeks 40 to 104. No patients on telitacicept progressed to kidney failure, and no patients in either group died during the study period.
Timeline
Week 39: Stage A randomized treatment period ended.
9 months: Interim analysis showed the 55% proteinuria reduction versus placebo.
Week 104: Final 2-year eGFR outcome was measured.
Health Landscape
The TELIGAN results add a dual BAFF and APRIL antagonist to the emerging set of targeted therapies for IgA nephropathy, a disease in which treatment has historically focused on blood pressure control and supportive care. The trial's kidney-function endpoints, including eGFR decline thresholds, are the measures regulators typically weigh when evaluating kidney therapies.
For people with IgA nephropathy, the results suggest a treatment option that may slow loss of kidney function, though the drug is not currently available in the United States. Side effects reported in the trial included injection site reactions in 56% of telitacicept patients, and serious adverse events occurred in 18.2% of the telitacicept group versus 8.2% of placebo.
The takeaway
The TELIGAN results show that telitacicept lowered proteinuria and preserved kidney function over two years in IgA nephropathy, though the drug's availability outside China remains unresolved. Patients considering treatment options should discuss the trial data and access questions with a nephrologist.
Further reading
For related coverage of immune-driven conditions, see the Allergies section.
