August 06, 2026
Article By: NKF Staff
IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is one of the most common rare immune-related diseases that damages the kidneys' tiny filters, called glomeruli. For many years, treatment options were limited. Today, that is changing.
As of August 2026, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved six medications specifically for IgAN, with many more being studied in clinical trials.
With so many new treatments becoming available, doctors have important questions about how to use these medications safely and effectively. To help answer those questions, the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) hosted two scientific workshops in spring 2026, bringing together kidney experts from around the world.
Key Takeaways
Key Takeaways
6 FDA-approved treatments give people with IgA nephropathy more options and more hope than ever before.
NKF brought experts together to help doctors understand how to use these new treatments safely and effectively.
Research continues to drive progress, with new therapies and clinical trials shaping the future of IgA nephropathy care.
What Is IgAN?
IgA nephropathy, also known as Berger's disease, happens when a protein called immunoglobulin A (IgA) builds up in the kidneys.
IgA is an antibody that normally helps the body fight infections. In people with IgAN, abnormal IgA collects in the kidneys, causing inflammation that damages the kidneys' tiny filters.
Over time, this damage can lead to chronic kidney disease (CKD). Some people may eventually develop kidney failure.
How Has Treatment Changed?
For many years, treatment focused on slowing kidney damage rather than treating the disease itself.
Doctors mainly worked to:
- Control blood pressure
- Reduce protein in the urine (proteinuria)
- Protect kidney function
These treatments are still an important part of care. However, new medications target the disease in different ways, giving people with IgAN more treatment options than ever before.
Current FDA-approved treatments for IgAN include:
- Tarpeyo (targeted-release budesonide): A steroid that works in the gut to calm part of the immune system and reduces the production of the abnormal IgA that damages the kidneys.
- Filspari (sparsentan): Lowers protein in the urine while helping protect kidney function and slow disease progression.
- Fabhalta (iptacopan): Works on part of the immune system called the complement pathway, helping reduce inflammation and kidney damage.
- Vanrafia (atrasentan): Helps reduce proteinuria and protect the kidneys from further damage.
- Voyxact (sibeprenlimab): Blocks a protein that is linked to the creation of harmful IgA antibodies, called APRIL.
- Trutakna (atacicept-vymj): Blocks two immune system proteins, BAFF and APRIL, which are involved in the production of harmful IgA antibodies that contribute to kidney inflammation.
Researchers are also studying many additional therapies in clinical trials, giving hope that even more treatment options may become available in the future.
Why Are These Workshops Important?
The rapid growth of new treatment options has created new questions for kidney specialists, including:
- Which treatment is best for different patients?
- Can multiple medications be used together safely?
- How should future clinical trials compare new medicines when approved treatments already exist?
By bringing together experts from around the world, NKF is helping answer these questions and improve care for people living with IgAN.
Workshop 1: Understanding New B-Cell Therapies
The first NKF workshop focused on a newer group of medications called B-cell therapies.
B cells are white blood cells that help the immune system fight infections. In IgA nephropathy, some B cells make abnormal IgA antibodies that damage the kidney.
B-cell therapies work by reducing the production of these harmful IgA antibodies before they can damage the kidneys.
Because these treatments are so new for IgAN, researchers are working to better understand:
- Which patients may benefit the most
- How treatment should be monitored
- Whether these medications can be safely combined with other IgAN therapies
- How they should be used in adults, children, and kidney transplant recipients
Nearly 50 kidney specialists from across the United States worked together to develop expert recommendations. Their final guidance is expected later this year.
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Workshop 2: Improving Future Clinical Trials
The second workshop focused on another important question: How should future IgAN clinical trials be designed? With more treatments available, fewer people may want to join a trial where they may get a placebo (inactive) treatment.
Nearly 100 experts—including kidney specialists, researchers, patient advocates, government regulators, and representatives from pharmaceutical companies—worked together to discuss ways to improve future IgAN research while ensuring trials remain safe.
Their recommendations will help inform future patient-centered IgAN clinical trials while continuing to advance new treatment options.
A Bright Future
The treatment landscape for IgA nephropathy is changing faster than ever before.
Doctors now have more tools to directly target the disease and help slow kidney damage, and researchers continue to develop new therapies that may improve long-term outcomes.
By bringing together experts from around the world, NKF is helping build consensus on how these new treatments should be used and how future research can answer the questions that matter most to people living with IgAN.
