Sparsentan is in clinical development for the treatment of patients with primary and genetic focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). FSGS is a rare kidney disease characterised by dysfunction in the part of the kidney that filters blood (the glomeruli) and causes serious scarring that leads to permanent kidney damage and even kidney failure. When glomeruli become damaged or scarred (sclerosis), proteins begin leaking into the urine (proteinuria). FSGS can be “primary” meaning it is of unknown cause; “secondary” which is caused by another disease or a drug; or “genetic” caused by an abnormal version in a gene.
Sparsentan is developed as an oral treatment that sustainably reduces proteinuria. It has an innovative dual mechanism of action, with a potentially greater protective effect to the kidneys, compared to existing treatments. If licensed, sparsentan would increase the treatment options for FSGS.