Sparsentan is an investigational therapeutic candidate for the treatment of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis
Sparsentan is a novel small-molecule candidate in Phase 3 development for the treatment of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). FSGS is a pattern of damage to the glomeruli (filter units) of the kidney with numerous causes that often leads to decline in kidney function and progression to end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Medicines Agency (EMA) have granted sparsentan orphan drug designation for FSGS.
Sparsentan, a Dual Endothelin Angiotensin Receptor Antagonist (DEARA), is a novel investigational product candidate selectively targeting the endothelin A receptor (ETAR) and the angiotensin II subtype 1 receptor (AT1R).1 Pre-clinical data have shown that blockade of both endothelin type A and angiotensin II type 1 pathways in forms of rare chronic kidney disease, reduces proteinuria, protects podocytes and prevents glomerulosclerosis and mesangial cell proliferation.2
Proteinuria is a standard measure of disease activity, and a predictor of and contributor to disease progression in FSGS.3,4
The goal of the sparsentan program for FSGS is to develop a well-tolerated, safe and effective treatment that sustainably reduces proteinuria and protects the long-term health of kidneys in people living with FSGS.
FSGS can be characterized by an aggressive clinical course. 50% of patients with nephrotic-range proteinuria who do not reach remission or partial remission will require kidney transplant or dialysis within 5-10 years of diagnosis.5
Patients who are steroid resistant are at a significantly higher risk of disease progression and kidney failure.5,6 For those with primary FSGS (not secondary to another condition) who undergo kidney transplantation, FSGS recurs in the transplanted kidney in approximately one-third of patients.7
The DUET and DUPLEX Studies
After completing the double-blind portion of the Phase 2 DUET Study, Travere Therapeutics initiated a global pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial in 2018 to support potential approval of sparsentan for patients with FSGS in the United States and Europe. The DUPLEX Study protocol provides for an unblinded analysis of at least 190 patients performed after 36 weeks of treatment to evaluate the interim efficacy endpoint – the proportion of patients achieving a partial remission, defined as proteinuria reduction of ≥40% from baseline and a urinary protein-to-creatinine ratio of <1.5 g/g.8 In February of 2021, Travere reported that the ongoing DUPLEX Study of sparsentan in FSGS achieved its pre-specified interim proteinuria endpoint and was generally well-tolerated with a safety profile comparable to irbesartan after 36 weeks of treatment. The confirmatory endpoint of the DUPLEX Study is the rate of change in eGFR over 108 weeks of treatment.
Following FDA feedback on the ongoing pivotal Phase 3 DUPLEX Study, Travere Therapeutics is planning to pursue traditional approval of sparsentan for FSGS in the United States in 2023 and Conditional Marketing Authorization in Europe.
1. Trachtman, et al. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2018;29:2745-2754.
2. Komers and Plotkin. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2016;310:R877-R884.
3. Abbate M, et al. Am J Pathol 2002; 161:2179–2193.
4. Abbate M, et al. J Am Soc Nephrol 2006; 17:2974–2984.
5. Korbet. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2012;23:1769-1776.
6. KDIGO Clinical Practice Guideline on Glomerular Diseases, published in the October 2021 issue of Supplements to Kidney International.
7. Uffing, et al. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. 2020;15:247-256.
8. Troost et al. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. 2018;13:414-421