our science
Our research and pipeline
Our research begins with understanding the fundamental mechanisms that drive disease and then designing therapeutic strategies to help address these pathways effectively. We are committed to advancing our programs through rigorous clinical evidence, where patient needs are significant and where we can make meaningful progress.
Each investigational program reflects our commitment to developing therapies that may change the trajectory of disease for patients. Our pipeline is currently focused on immune-mediated kidney disease, where our combined expertise in nephrology and B-cell biology positions us to reshape treatment approaches.
Our Pipeline
A pipeline grounded in expertise and designed for areas of high patient need
Click a program in the table below for more information
Atacicept
IgAN
-
Preclinical
-
Phase 1
-
Phase 2
-
Phase 3
-
Approval
- Preclinical
- Phase 1
- Phase 2
- Phase 3
- Approval
IgAN
IgAN is a chronic, autoimmune kidney disease characterized by the formation of immune complexes that deposit in the glomeruli and trigger inflammation and progressive kidney injury. These immune complexes are composed of an autoantigen and autoantibody produced by B cells, which are activated by two cytokines called BAFF and APRIL.1
Atacicept
pMN, FSGS, MCD
-
Preclinical
-
Phase 1
-
Phase 2
-
Phase 3
-
Approval
- Preclinical
- Phase 1
- Phase 2
- Phase 3
- Approval
pMN, FSGS, MCD
B-cell activity leading to autoantibody production is thought to be implicated in the pathophysiology of pMN, FSGS, and MCD.2,3
MAU868
BKV
-
Preclinical
-
Phase 1
-
Phase 2
-
Phase 3
-
Approval
- Preclinical
- Phase 1
- Phase 2
- Phase 3
- Approval
BKV
BKV is a common viral infection that can reactivate and have significant consequences in kidney transplant recipients.4 MAU868 is designed to neutralize the virus by blocking its ability to attach to host cells.5
VT-109
B-cell-mediated diseases
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Preclinical
-
Phase 1
-
Phase 2
-
Phase 3
-
Approval
- Preclinical
- Phase 1
- Phase 2
- Phase 3
- Approval
B-cell-mediated diseases
VT-109 is a novel, next generation fusion protein targeting BAFF and APRIL with wide therapeutic potential across the spectrum of B-cell-mediated diseases.
Clinical Trials
If you are a patient interested in a Vera Therapeutics clinical trial, we encourage you to speak with your physician about your eligibility and whether a clinical trial is right for you.
PIONEER is a Phase 2 clinical trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of atacicept in multiple autoimmune glomerular diseases. The three main study cohorts include:
- Expanded IgAN populations beyond those typically included in Phase 3 clinical trials
- Anti-PLA2R-positive pMN
- Anti-nephrin-positive MCD or FSGS
ORIGIN Extend is a Phase 2 open-label extension clinical trial for participants who complete ORIGIN 2b or ORIGIN 3. The trial aims to capture longer-term efficacy and safety data, while providing eligible participants from the ORIGIN program with continued access to atacicept after trial completion in their region.
Expanded Access Policy
We believe patients deserve medicines backed by rigorous science. Clinical studies are the most appropriate pathway to achieve this goal; therefore, we do not currently offer access to investigational therapies outside of clinical studies and, at this time, we do not have an active Expanded Access Program (sometimes referred to as “compassionate use” or “pre-approval access”).
If you have additional questions regarding our clinical trial program, please speak with your healthcare provider or contact: clinicaltrials@veratx.com.
APRIL, a proliferation-inducing ligand; BAFF, B-cell activating factor, also known as BLyS (B lymphocyte stimulator); BKV, BK virus; FSGS, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis; IgAN, IgA nephropathy; MCD, minimal change disease; PLA2R, phospholipase A2 receptor; pMN, primary membranous nephropathy.
References
- Cheung CK, Barratt J, Liew A, Zhang H, Tesar V, Lafayette R. The role of BAFF and APRIL in IgA nephropathy: pathogenic mechanisms and targeted therapies. Front Nephrol. 2024;3:1346769. Published 2024 Feb 1. doi:10.3389/fneph.2023.1346769
- Beck LH Jr, Bonegio RG, Lambeau G, et al. M-type phospholipase A2 receptor as target antigen in idiopathic membranous nephropathy. N Engl J Med. 2009;361(1):11-21. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa0810457
- Hengel FE, Dehde S, Lassé M, et al. Autoantibodies Targeting Nephrin in Podocytopathies. N Engl J Med. 2024;391(5):422-433. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2314471
- Ambalathingal GR, Francis RS, Smyth MJ, et al. BK Polyomavirus: Clinical Aspects, Immune Regulation, and Emerging Therapies. Clin Microbiol Rev. 2017;30(2):503-528. doi:10.1128/CMR.00074-16
- Kovacs SJ, Abend JR, Xu X, et al. A first-in-human study of MAU868, a novel neutralizing antibody against BK virus: PO2455. JASN. 2020;31(10S):746. doi:10.1681/ASN.20203110S1746a