Novartis has successfully acquired SanReno Therapeutics, enhancing its pipeline with exclusive rights to innovative therapies targeting IgA nephropathy in China and Singapore.

Target Information

SanReno Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing, researching, and commercializing innovative therapies for kidney diseases. Founded in 2021, SanReno is a joint venture between its founding investors, which include Pivotal BioVenture Partners China, Frazier Life Sciences, Samsara BioCapital, and Versant Ventures, and Chinook Therapeutics, which has since been acquired by Novartis. The company has exclusive rights in China and Singapore for two promising clinical programs targeting IgA nephropathy (IgAN): Atrasentan and Zigakibart, both currently in clinical development.

Atrasentan is an orally administered selective endothelin receptor antagonist (ETA) that is undergoing Phase III clinical trials. It has shown statistically significant and clinically meaningful reductions in proteinuria across 36 cycles, successfully meeting its primary endpoint in Phase III studies. In addition, Zigakibart (BION-1301), a subcutaneously administered monoclonal antibody targeting APRIL (a proliferative-inducing ligand), received approval from China's Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE) to commence Phase III studies in October 2023 through SanReno.

Industry Overview in China

The pharmaceutical industry in China has experienced tremendous growth over the last decade, driven by increased healthcare demand, robust government policies, and a growing emphasis on innovative medicines. The