Calliditas Therapeutics to Present New IgA Nephropathy Data at World Congress

Analyses from Phase 3 NefIgArd study to highlight Nefecon's gut-targeted mechanism of action

Mar. 30, 2026 at 2:05pm

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A ghostly, translucent X-ray image revealing the detailed internal structure of a human kidney, visually representing the new mechanistic insights into Calliditas' IgA nephropathy treatment.New biomarker data from Calliditas' IgA nephropathy study shed light on the drug's targeted effects on the gut-associated immune system.Loma Linda Today

Calliditas Therapeutics, an Asahi Kasei company, announced that new data from the Phase 3 NefIgArd study in patients with primary immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) will be presented at the 2026 World Congress of Nephrology. The presentations will highlight secondary analyses evaluating Nefecon's effects on serum biomarkers and the immunological impact on B- and T-cell subsets, reinforcing the drug's disease-modifying mechanism of action.

Why it matters

IgA nephropathy is a rare, progressive kidney disease that can lead to end-stage renal failure. The new data from the NefIgArd study provide further insights into Nefecon's targeted approach to modulating the mucosal immune system in the gut, which is believed to be a key driver of IgAN pathogenesis.

The details

Calliditas will present seven posters at the World Congress of Nephrology, including secondary analyses from the Phase 3 NefIgArd study and data on the immunomodulatory effects of orally administered budesonide in murine Peyer's patches. The company will also sponsor a scientific symposium highlighting the evolving treatment paradigm for IgAN.

  • The World Congress of Nephrology will take place from March 28 to 31, 2026 in Yokohama, Japan.
  • The Calliditas-sponsored symposium is scheduled for March 30, 2026 from 12:50 pm to 1:50 pm JST.
  • The poster presentations will occur on various dates between March 28 and March 30, 2026.

The players

Calliditas Therapeutics AB

A biopharma company focused on developing novel treatments for orphan indications with significant unmet medical needs, including IgA nephropathy. Calliditas is a subsidiary of Asahi Kasei.

Nefecon

Calliditas' lead product, a gut-targeted, delayed-release formulation of budesonide approved in the US as TARPEYO and in Europe as Kinpeygo for the treatment of IgA nephropathy.

Yusuke Suzuki

Professor at Juntendo University in Tokyo, Japan, and presenter at the Calliditas-sponsored symposium.

Sayna Norouzi

Physician at Loma Linda University Medical Center in California, USA, and presenter at the Calliditas-sponsored symposium.

Chee Kay Cheung

Professor at the University of Leicester in the UK, and presenter at the Calliditas-sponsored symposium.

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What’s next

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The takeaway

The new data from the NefIgArd study provide further evidence that Nefecon's gut-targeted mechanism of action can help address the underlying drivers of IgA nephropathy, a rare and progressive kidney disease with limited treatment options.