04:41 AM EDT, 04/03/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Novartis ( NVS ) said late Wednesday the US Food and Drug Administration granted accelerated approval for Vanrafia to reduce proteinuria in adults with primary immunoglobulin A nephropathy, or IgAN, at risk of rapid disease progression.

IgAN is a progressive, rare kidney disease.

Data from an ongoing phase III showed that Vanrafia achieved proteinuria reduction of about 36%, compared with placebo, with improvements seen at week six and sustained through week 36, as well as favorable safety, the company said.

It has not been established whether Vanrafia slows kidney function decline in patients with IgAN, the company said, adding that the continued approval could depend on longer term data from the ongoing phase III study, which will evaluate whether Vanrafia slows disease progression based on estimated glomerular filtration rate decline, with results expected in 2026.

Novartis ( NVS ) shares were up 1.3% in recent premarket activity Thursday.