Our Focus

Vera is developing atacicept, a novel biologic drug for the treatment of IgA nephropathy (IgAN), a rare autoimmune disease that can lead to dialysis, kidney transplant, serious disease and early death.

Atacicept

Atacicept is a recombinant fusion protein that contains the soluble TACI receptor that binds to the cytokines BLyS and APRIL. These cytokines are members of the tumor necrosis factor family that promote B-cell survival and autoantibody production associated with certain autoimmune diseases such as IgA Nephropathy (IgAN). Blocking these cytokines with atacicept has been shown in clinical trials to reduce disease causing antibodies.

Vera holds an exclusive worldwide license for the development and commercialization of atacicept in all indications from Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, a leading science and technology company.

IgAN, also known as Berger’s disease, is an autoimmune disease driven by the deposition of abnormal immune complexes that accumulate in the kidneys, causing inflammatory tissue damage and kidney failure.

BLyS = B lymphocyte stimulator; APRIL = a proliferation-inducing ligand

IgA Nephropathy (IgAN)

IgAN is a rare but devastating disease and is a common cause of kidney disease, behind chronic hypertension and diabetes.

Up to 50% of IgAN patients progress to end-stage renal disease, requiring dialysis or kidney transplant.

Current standard of care includes angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), which provide limited clinical benefits with known safety and toxicity issues.

There is a high unmet medical need for safe and effective new medications to treat IgAN.

Target the Source:

Click on the pathway below to see how Atacicept acts on IgAN Pathophysiology