Glomerulonephritis is inflammation of the kidney's tiny filtering units (glomeruli) that can cause protein in the urine, blood in the urine, high blood pressure, and progressive kidney failure. It comes in many forms — some caused by autoimmune diseases, some by infections, and some of unknown cause.
What's actually going on in research
Complement pathway inhibitors are transforming treatment of several glomerulonephritis types: avacopan improved outcomes in ANCA vasculitis, and trials are underway for C3 glomerulopathy and lupus nephritis. Rituximab and other B-cell depleting antibodies are being tested and refined for membranous nephropathy and ANCA-associated glomerulonephritis. Sparsentan, which blocks both endothelin and angiotensin receptors, is being developed for IgA nephropathy and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis.
Complement inhibitors
Drugs blocking the complement cascade at different points (C5, C3, Factor D) are transforming ANCA vasculitis, C3 glomerulopathy, and being tested in other complement-driven kidney diseases.
B-cell depletion
Rituximab and newer anti-CD20 antibodies are being compared with standard immunosuppression for membranous nephropathy, ANCA vasculitis, and lupus nephritis.
Dual endothelin-angiotensin blockade
Sparsentan blocks two pathways that drive glomerular damage and proteinuria, with trials showing significant reduction in protein leak in IgA nephropathy and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis.
What to know before you search
Eligibility depends on glomerulonephritis subtype confirmed by biopsy, proteinuria level, eGFR, serologic markers (ANCA, anti-GBM, complement levels), and prior immunosuppression.
What types of trials are currently open
- Immunosuppression trials — Testing new immunotherapy regimens for autoimmune glomerulonephritis types.
- Complement inhibitor trials — Evaluating complement-blocking drugs across multiple glomerulonephritis subtypes.
- IgA nephropathy trials — Testing targeted sparsentan and other specific therapies for this common glomerulonephritis subtype.
- Lupus nephritis trials — Testing new biologics and combination immunosuppression for lupus kidney disease.
- Supportive care trials — Optimizing blood pressure control, proteinuria reduction, and slowing progression to kidney failure.
Recently added Glomerulonephritis trials
A Study to Evaluate the Long-Term Safety and Efficacy of HSK39297 Tablets in Primary IgA Nephropathy
This is a Phase II, multicenter, open-label study. Eligible subjects who have completed the HSK39297-202 study will be enrolled.Starting dose is 200 mg QD.Dose may be increased to 300 mg QD after 8-12 weeks of stable 200 mg QD therapy if 24-h urine protein excretion (UPE) remains \>1 g/24 h and no Grade ≥3 treatment-related adverse events (AEs) occur.After the treatment period, subjects will enter the 4-week safety follow-up period.
Evaluate the Efficacy, Safety, Pharmacokinetics, and Pharmacodynamics of EVER001 in Participants With Selected Proteinuric Glomerular Diseases
This is a Phase 1b/2, open-label, multi-center study evaluating the therapeutic potential and safety of the investigational drug EVER001 in adults with FSGS, MCD, or IgAN. EVER001 acts on multiple immune pathways without directly affecting T cells or depleting B cells (both are lymphocytes). The study will be conducted at \~30 centers in China, enrolling 45 participants aged 18-75 years (15 per indication). The IMP is a 100 mg oral capsule, dosed at 200 mg twice daily (2 capsules per dose, 4 daily) for 52 weeks.
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