The kidneys play a vital role in keeping us healthy, and often it is only when something goes wrong that we realize just how important our kidneys are.1
As many as 1 in 10 people are affected by chronic kidney disease (CKD) worldwide, which occurs when the kidneys have been damaged over time and can no longer function the way they should.2-4 CKD can get worse over time, and the kidneys may stop working altogether, known as kidney failure.4,5 In addition, CKD can be a risk factor for other diseases, including cardiovascular diseases.4
There are many different causes of CKD. In some rare kidney diseases, called complement-mediated kidney diseases, damage to the kidneys is caused when a part of the immune system becomes overly active.6-9
Although it is possible to slow or stop the progression of CKD with early diagnosis and treatment, people living with CKD, particularly those living with complement-mediated kidney diseases, continue to face a challenging journey.2,10 Complement-mediated kidney diseases, including C3 glomerulopathy (C3G), IgA nephropathy (IgAN), atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) and membranous nephropathy (MN), are chronic, rare, complex and progressive diseases.6-9 In complement-mediated kidney diseases, treatment options are limited beyond supportive care and may come with significant side effects, including hypertension, diabetes, obesity and a heightened risk of infections.11-14 CKD also has a significant impact on healthcare systems, as it currently costs more than breast, lung, colon and skin cancer combined.2
There is a need for new innovations that better address the significant unmet need in CKD management to help prevent disease progression and improve the lives of people living with kidney diseases.