Ionis partner Roche announces new Phase 3 data showing sefaxersen significantly reduced proteinuria in people with IgA nephropathy (IgAN)
– Sefaxersen achieved a statistically significant 43.1% reduction in proteinuria, a key indicator of kidney damage, relative to placebo at 37 weeks
with consistent treatment effects across all prespecified patient subgroups –
– Sefaxersen inhibits complement factor B production and has the potential to reduce kidney inflammation and slow IgAN disease progression –
– Investigational sefaxersen is intended to be a once-monthly subcutaneous injection and designed to enable convenient self-administration at home –
– Despite recent advances, many people with IgAN remain at risk of disease progression and kidney failure, highlighting the need for additional
targeted treatment options for those who do not respond to initial therapy –
CARLSBAD, Calif., October 23, 2026 -- Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: IONS) partner Roche announced today late-breaking oral presentation
data from the ongoing Phase 3 IMAgINATION study in adults with primary IgA nephropathy (IgAN) receiving optimized standard of care, demonstrating that investigational sefaxersen achieved a statistically significant and clinically meaningful 43.1%
reduction in proteinuria (95% confidence interval [CI]: 32.5 - 52.0, P<0.0001), relative to placebo at 37 weeks, as measured by 24-hour urine protein-to-creatinine ratio (UPCR). Proteinuria is a key indicator of kidney damage and a reduction
in UPCR is strongly associated with the preservation of long-term kidney function. Results presented at the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) Kidney Week 2026 also showed that, among patients with baseline hematuria (blood in urine), a greater
proportion of patients achieved hematuria resolution at Week 37 with sefaxersen versus placebo.
"These data support our belief that sefaxersen is uniquely positioned to treat IgA nephropathy, demonstrating significant and clinically meaningful reduction in proteinuria
and offering the potential to help reduce the need for long-term dialysis or kidney transplantation,” said Brett P. Monia, Ph.D., chief executive officer, Ionis. “Sefaxersen is a powerful example of the broad impact of Ionis' innovative science, and
based on these positive data, we believe it has the potential to be an important new treatment option for people living with IgA nephropathy."
The treatment effect in all prespecified subgroups was consistent with the clinically meaningful reductions in proteinuria shown in the primary endpoint
results. Sefaxersen was well tolerated with a safety profile consistent with the previously reported Phase 2 study, exhibiting no new safety signals.
Sefaxersen is an investigational once-monthly subcutaneous injection designed to enable self-administration for people with IgAN. The IMAgINATION study will continue as a
blinded study to evaluate the change in kidney function over two years, as measured by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at week 105. Roche will share data with health
authorities, with the goal of bringing this treatment to patients as soon as possible.
Typically diagnosed before the age of 40, IgAN affects at least 25 adults per million worldwide each year. IgAN, also known as Berger’s disease, is a chronic and
progressive autoimmune disease that leads to end-stage kidney disease in up to 50% of patients within 20 years of diagnosis. It is the most common form of primary glomerulonephritis (inflammation of the tiny filters, glomeruli, in the kidneys) and is
a major cause of chronic kidney disease as well as kidney failure.
Roche licensed sefaxersen from Ionis for the treatment of complement-mediated diseases. Under the terms of the agreement, Ionis received an upfront payment, license fee and development milestone payments and is eligible to receive regulatory and sales milestone payments as well as tiered royalties on net sales of sefaxersen.
About sefaxersen
Sefaxersen, an investigational, highly specific liver-directed antisense oligonucleotide that inhibits factor B production, is the first RNA-targeted
therapy for IgA nephropathy (IgAN). Serum complement factor B levels are elevated in people with IgAN. Sefaxersen is designed to provide sustained control of the alternative complement pathway, an important pathway in IgAN, enabling once-monthly
subcutaneous dosing and is intended for self-administration in people with IgAN.
About the IMAgINATION Study
IMAgINATION (NCT05797610) is a Phase 3, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of
subcutaneous sefaxersen, an investigational antisense inhibitor of complement factor B, in patients with primary IgA nephropathy at high risk of progression. The study enrolled 459 people, who are randomized 1:1 to receive sefaxersen or placebo for
105 weeks. Participants may switch to open-label treatment after week 105 at the investigator's discretion or after the common-close timepoint, whichever occurs first. The primary endpoint of the study is the change from baseline in the urine
protein-to-creatinine ratio at 37 weeks.
About IgA Nephropathy (IgAN)
IgAN, also known as Berger’s disease, is a serious, chronic and progressive autoimmune kidney disease affecting at least 25 adults per million worldwide
each year and is typically diagnosed before the age of 40 years. In IgAN, immune complexes deposit in the kidneys, which activates the complement system’s alternative pathway, leading to inflammation and subsequent kidney damage. It is the most
common form of primary glomerulonephritis (inflammation of kidney glomeruli) and remains a leading cause of kidney failure, with up to 50% of patients experiencing end-stage kidney disease within 20 years of diagnosis. Many current therapies aim to
reduce protein levels in the urine and control blood pressure to slow progression of the disease.
Updated KDIGO 2025 guidelines* highlight the need to address both the underlying immune-mediated causes of IgAN and the downstream consequences of kidney
damage. While new therapies have expanded treatment options, important unmet needs remain, including improved long-term preservation of kidney function and more targeted approaches that address key drivers of disease progression.
About Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
For more than three decades, Ionis has invented medicines that bring better futures to people with serious diseases. Ionis currently has marketed medicines and a leading
pipeline in neurology, cardiometabolic disease and select areas of high patient need. As the pioneer in RNA-targeted medicines, Ionis continues to drive innovation in RNA therapies in addition to advancing new approaches in gene editing. A deep
understanding of disease biology and industry-leading technology propels our work, coupled with a passion and urgency to deliver life-changing advances for patients. To learn more about Ionis, visit Ionis.com and follow us on X (Twitter), LinkedIn
and Instagram.
Ionis Forward-looking Statements
This press release includes forward-looking statements regarding Ionis' business and the therapeutic and commercial potential of sefaxersen, our commercial medicines,
additional medicines in development and technologies and our expectations regarding development and regulatory milestones. Any statement describing Ionis' goals, expectations, financial or other projections, intentions or beliefs is a forward-looking
statement and should be considered an at-risk statement. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties including those inherent in the process of discovering, developing and commercializing medicines that are safe and effective for
use as human therapeutics, and in the endeavor of building a business around such medicines. Ionis' forward-looking statements also involve assumptions that, if they never materialize or prove correct, could cause its results to differ materially
from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although Ionis' forward-looking statements reflect the good faith judgment of its management, these statements are based only on facts and factors currently known by Ionis. Except as
required by law, we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements for any reason. As a result, you are cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. These and other risks concerning Ionis' programs are described in
additional detail in Ionis' annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 and most recent Form 10-Q, which are on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of these and other documents are available from the Company.
In this press release, unless the context requires otherwise, "Ionis," "Company," "we," "our" and "us" all refer to Ionis Pharmaceuticals and its subsidiaries.
Ionis Pharmaceuticals® is a trademark of Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
*KDIGO guidelines serve as the foundational framework for healthcare organizations, policymakers and clinicians worldwide to standardize kidney disease diagnosis, staging
and treatment.
Ionis Investor Contact:
D. Wade Walke, Ph.D.
IR@ionis.com
760-603-2331
Ionis Media Contact:
Hayley Soffer
media@ionis.com
760-603-4679
