{
  "id": 8092914,
  "title": "Biogen reports trial results for kidney disease drug in adolescents",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/biogen-reports-trial-results-for-kidney-disease-drug-in-adolescents",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-09-17T20:20:33.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Investing.com",
    "slug": "investing-com",
    "url": "https://www.investing.com/news/company-news/biogen-reports-trial-results-for-kidney-disease-drug-in-adolescents-93CH-4906395"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Biogen Inc. has shared positive results from a study examining the effects of its drug EMPAVELI on adolescents with kidney diseases. The Phase 3 VALIANT study focused on 55 patients aged 12 to 17 years with C3 glomerulopathy or primary immune complex membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis. By Week 26, those taking EMPAVELI experienced a 75% reduction in proteinuria compared to those receiving a placebo. Moreover, 71% of the EMPAVELI group saw a 50% or greater decrease in proteinuria, versus just 4% of the placebo group. Notably, 57% of adolescents on EMPAVELI maintained stable kidney function alongside significant proteinuria reduction, as opposed to just 4% of the placebo group. These improvements were evident as early as Week 4 and persisted through Week 26 of the trial. EMPAVELI was administered twice weekly to participants for 26 weeks, followed by an additional 26 weeks of open-label treatment. The FDA recently expanded EMPAVELI's approval to include adolescents aged 12 and older, citing its efficacy in reducing both proteinuria and kidney function decline. The drug demonstrated a favorable safety profile in adolescents, aligning with the overall VALIANT study's findings. C3G and primary IC-MPGN are rare, chronic conditions where about 20% of children progress to kidney failure within a decade of diagnosis, despite standard treatments.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "EMPAVELI reduced proteinuria by 75% in adolescents with kidney diseases",
    "71% of EMPAVELI group saw 50%+ decrease in proteinuria vs 4% placebo",
    "FDA expanded EMPAVELI approval to include adolescents aged 12 and older"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}