Dual Biologics May End Daily Pills Post-Kidney Transplant

A novel dual biologic regimen combining dazodalibep and belatacept is well tolerated and could enable more than half the kidney transplant recipients to avoid broader metabolic pathway inhibitors.

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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In a phase 2a trial, a dual-biologic regimen of dazodalibep plus belatacept used as an alternative to daily calcineurin inhibitors and corticosteroids after kidney transplantation was generally safe and well-tolerated. It preserved kidney function, even in patients who experienced rejection, and was not associated with antibody-mediated rejection.

Why it matters

Patients who undergo kidney transplantation generally require lifelong daily immunosuppressive therapy, which can cause significant toxicities, increase the risk for graft failure over time, and lead to nonadherence. This dual-biologic regimen offers a potentially less toxic alternative.

The details

The phase 2a, open-label, single-arm trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of combining dazodalibep and belatacept as the sole maintenance therapy in 23 kidney transplant patients. After protocol amendments to increase the induction therapy and revise the dosing regimen, the efficacy failure rate was 25% at weeks 12, 24, and 48 among the 20 patients who received the revised regimen. Kidney function was preserved, and there were no antibody-mediated rejections observed.

  • The trial was conducted from 2023 to 2025.
  • Patients received the dual-biologic regimen after transplant on day 1 and at specific timepoints until week 48.
  • Patients were followed up for an additional 12-week safety period after study drug discontinuation.

The players

Flavio Vincenti, MD

The lead author of the study, from the Department of Medicine and Department of Surgery at the University of California San Francisco.

Amgen Inc

The company that funded the study and employed two of the authors, who also owned company stock.

Eledon Pharmaceuticals, Inc

One of the authors was a member of the board of directors for this company.

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What they’re saying

“Findings from this trial suggest that dual costimulation immunosuppression may represent a viable therapeutic option as sole maintenance therapy for kidney and other organ transplant recipients.”

— Flavio Vincenti, MD (American Journal of Transplantation)

What’s next

Further research is needed to evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of this dual-biologic regimen in a larger patient population.

The takeaway

This novel dual-biologic approach offers a potential alternative to daily immunosuppressive therapy for kidney transplant recipients, potentially reducing the toxicities and adherence issues associated with current regimens.