Novartis Shares Rise 3.09% on Kidney Drug Approvals

On April 3, 2025, Novartis shares rose by 3.09% in pre-market trading, reflecting positive market sentiment towards the company's recent developments and strategic initiatives.

Novartis has made significant strides in the kidney disease treatment sector. The company's oral medication, Fexharda (Iptacopan), received approval from the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for treating adult patients with C3 glomerulopathy (C3G), a rare and progressive kidney disease. This approval marks the first kidney disease-related indication for Fexharda in China and the second overall, following its approval for paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH). The drug is the first and only selective complement factor B inhibitor, targeting the primary disease mechanism of C3G by inhibiting the overactivation of the alternative pathway (AP) of the complement system. This mechanism helps control proteinuria and stabilize eGFR, providing a much-needed treatment option for patients with this severe condition.

In addition to Fexharda, Novartis has also received FDA approval for its drug Atrasentan (Vanrafia) to treat IgA nephropathy (IgAN), another form of kidney disease. This approval is significant as it is the first selective endothelin A receptor antagonist for reducing proteinuria in adults with primary IgAN. The drug has shown a 36.1% reduction in proteinuria compared to placebo, with improvements visible from week 6 and sustained through week 36. This approval strengthens Novartis's position in the kidney care market and provides a new treatment option for patients with IgAN, a disease that affects approximately 13 per million people in the US annually, with up to 50% of patients progressing to kidney failure within 10-20 years of diagnosis.