Aravive (NASDAQ:ARAV) has begun enrolling patients in its Phase 2a clinical trial of AVB-500 in patients with kidney fibrosis, specifically immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN).
IgAN occurs when an antibody called immunoglobulin A builds up in the kidneys, causing inflammation and kidney damage.
AVB-500 targets a protein called gamma-carboxyglutamic acid (GAS6). In a statement, Gail McIntyre, Aravive’s CSO, said, “GAS6 is more highly expressed in human IgAN tissues than normal kidney tissue. GAS6 levels correlate with severity of the disease and inhibition of the pathway preclinically has demonstrated a positive effect.”
The open-label Phase 2a clinical study will evaluate the safety and efficacy of AVB500 in patients with biopsy-proven IgAN and who are excreting one-to-three grams of protein daily in their urine. Primary endpoints are the safety of AVB500 and efficacy of AVB500 treatment on decreasing the amount of protein in the urine.
