Maze Therapeutics Highlights Upcoming MZE829 Kidney Data, Maps Phase 2 Plans for MZE782

CEO Jason Coloma discusses the company's genetics-driven approach to drug development at Guggenheim's Emerging Biotech Summit.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Maze Therapeutics is advancing a genetics-driven approach to drug development, using human genetic analyses to identify gene variants linked to disease and then applying those insights to small-molecule programs focused primarily on kidney and metabolic disorders. CEO Jason Coloma highlighted two clinical-stage programs as near-term priorities: MZE829 for APOL1-mediated kidney disease (AMKD), with clinical data expected later in the quarter, and MZE782, an SLC6A19 inhibitor that Maze plans to move into two Phase 2 studies later this year—one in phenylketonuria (PKU) and another in chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Why it matters

Maze's approach centers on translating naturally occurring human mutations into a deeper understanding of disease biology, with an emphasis on validating therapeutic hypotheses before advancing into the clinic. The upcoming data readout for MZE829 in AMKD and the planned Phase 2 trials for MZE782 in PKU and CKD represent key milestones for the company's genetics-driven drug development strategy.

The details

Coloma discussed Maze's view of APOL1 disease biology, describing APOL1 risk variants as causing a 'toxic gain-of-function' through overexpression of a pore-forming process in podocytes. He said the pore inserts into the cell membrane and enables cation influx that contributes to cellular toxicity. Maze's approach aims to not only block the pore function but also disrupt the assembly of the pore, given APOL1's high turnover in podocytes. For dose selection, Maze combined in vitro work with an in vivo BAC transgenic mouse model to better predict proteinuria reductions. Coloma also highlighted practical developments supporting APOL1 patient diagnosis, including increased awareness and the availability of diagnostic tools.

  • Maze expects to deliver MZE829 data by the end of the first quarter of 2026.
  • Maze plans to advance MZE782 into a Phase 2 trial in PKU around mid-2026.
  • Maze plans to advance MZE782 into a Phase 2 trial in CKD in the second half of 2026.

The players

Maze Therapeutics

A clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of novel therapeutics by leveraging insights from human genetics and genomics.

Jason Coloma

The CEO of Maze Therapeutics.

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What they’re saying

“Maze's goal is to be the first company to show clinical proof of concept in what he called 'broad AMKD,' including patients with or without diabetes.”

— Jason Coloma, CEO (themarketsdaily.com)

“Maze believes it is important not only to block pore function but also to disrupt assembly of the pore, citing APOL1's high turnover in podocytes (with literature estimates on the order of less than an hour). Under that dynamic, he suggested that disrupting assembly could matter because new pores can continually form.”

— Jason Coloma, CEO (themarketsdaily.com)

What’s next

Maze expects to provide more specifics on dosing, study design, and patient populations for the MZE782 Phase 2 trials in PKU and CKD after the MZE829 readout.

The takeaway

Maze's genetics-driven approach to drug development, focusing on translating human genetic insights into targeted therapies for kidney and metabolic disorders, represents a promising strategy to address complex diseases. The upcoming data readout for MZE829 in AMKD and the planned Phase 2 trials for MZE782 in PKU and CKD will be closely watched as the company seeks to validate its unique approach.