Principal Jeff Fineberg, PhD sits down with Vlado Perkovic, MBBS, PhD, to discuss the IgA nephropathy trial data presented at Kidney Week 2024 in San Diego. Jeff begins by asking Dr. Perkovic to talk about why targeting B-cells is an attractive target, and why BAFF/APRIL might prove more promising than CD20. The two then discuss the data with two agents in development for the treatment of IgAN, atacicept (targeting BAFF/APRIL) and sibeprenlimab (targeting APRIL only). The conversation then pivots to the prospect of complement inhibition with FABHALTA® (iptacopan) in IgA nephropathy, including a comparison of the strategy to target certain complement factors/pathways over others in IgAN. Finally, the discussion takes a broader lens to the evolving IgAN treatment landscape, that may include both of these novel therapeutic mechanisms, in addition to recently approved drugs FILSPARI® (sparsentan) and TARPEYO® (budesonide), as well as other CKD therapeutic classes, such as SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1 receptor agonists.

Vlado Perkovic Bio

Vlado Perkovic is the Provost at UNSW Sydney and Scientia Professor at UNSW, and was previously the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health as well as Professorial Fellow at The George Institute, Australia, and a Staff Specialist in Nephrology at the Royal North Shore Hospital. His research focus is clinical trials and epidemiology, in particular, in preventing the progression of kidney disease and its complications. He leads several major international clinical trials with a focus on diabetic kidney disease, IgA nephropathy and CKD more broadly, and has Chaired the Steering Committees of many trials including CREDENCE, FLOW, TESTING, PROTECT, and APPLAUSE, along with several ongoing trials.

Dr. Perkovic holds a Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Melbourne and is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences, and of the American Society of Nephrology.

Principal Jeff Fineberg, PhD welcomes back returning guest nephrologist Beatrice Goilav, MD, to discuss the program featured at Kidney Week 2024 in San Diego.

Dr. Goilav reflects on what has happened in the field since last year’s Kidney Week conference, as well as her hopes for what will be presented at a variety of sessions, including more data in IgA nephropathy, lupus nephritis, and FSGS. She also offers her perspective on the newest advancements with complement inhibitors in glomerular diseases – including approval of FABHALTA® (iptacopan) in IgA nephropathy – as well as recommendations for educational symposia and scientific sessions on the topic. Finally, she and Jeff discuss GLP-1 receptor agonists, and what this class of drug may mean for the management of CKD.

Dr. Goilav hangs out on the social network X. Her handle is @BGoilav, and her DM is open to listeners with follow-on questions.

For more information about Bluestar BioAdvisors, please visit our website.

Bluestar Managing Director Erin Olsen is back from the ASCO conference in Chicago and joins Principal Jeff Fineberg on the podcast again, this time to talk about all things antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) in oncology.

Given the number and value of deals in this space over the past couple of years, as well as the 170+ ADCs now in clinical development, Jeff asks Erin to take stock of what we’ve learned about the potential of these molecules, with all their moving parts, and opine on what lies ahead.

Over the course of this brief conversation, Erin and Jeff touch on some key questions about ADCs, including:

• Are ADCs living up to their promise? (1:48)
• What are some lessons learned from Enhertu? (3:20)
• What have we learned about TOP1 payloads and TROP2 targeting? (6:10)
• Have ADCs delivered on better safety than chemo? (8:40)
• What’s next for ADCs? (10:50)

Bluestar BioAdvisors LLC is a boutique consulting firm comprised of strategic experts in the business of life sciences. We help clients answer key strategic questions about asset value, positioning, and future market potential, serving as an independent, objective advisor through the critical decision-making points of portfolio planning and business development.

For more information about us, please visit Bluestar BioAdvisors’ website, Erin’s bio, and Jeff’s bio.