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Biomarkers in IgA Nephropathy
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About This Event
Biomarkers in IgA Nephropathy
Background: IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is the most prevalent glomerular disease worldwide and is associated with a poor prognosis. Development of new treatment strategies and approaches for early diagnosis is necessary. However, reliable biomarkers are needed for the noninvasive diagnosis of this disease and to more fully delineate the risk of progression.1 The disease course is highly heterogeneous, which creates a strong need for reliable biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment monitoring.2 Finding biomarkers to improve the existing risk prediction models or replace pathological indicators is important for clinical practice.3
Did You Know?
Currently, proteinuria, eGFR, and blood pressure are considered traditional biomarkers for IgA Nephropathy, while renal biopsy remains the gold standard diagnostic tool.4
Why Attend This Webinar?
This webinar will focus on the current biomarker landscape as well as novel biomarkers that are currently being studied. The webinar will also focus on why biomarkers are needed and what the unmet need is.
What You Will Learn:
- Understand the key characteristics of an effective biomarker
- Explore established biomarkers such as proteinuria, kidney biopsy, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and blood pressure (BP).
- Discover emerging diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, including those found in blood, urine, genetics, and the microbiota
- Learn about specific biomarkers that indicate disease progression in IgA nephropathy (IgAN).
- Explore the role and relevance of potential surrogate endpoints in clinical research and patient care.
- Examine why biomarkers are essential in nephrology and the current unmet needs they aim to address.
References:
- Suzuki H. Biomarkers for IgA nephropathy on the basis of multi-hit pathogenesis. Clin Exp Nephrol. 2019 2019 Jan;23(1):26-31
- Zhixin Xu, et al. New biomarkers in IgA nephropathy. Clinical Immunology. 2025 May
- Duan, ZY., Zhang, C., Chen, XM. et al. Blood and urine biomarkers of disease progression in IgA nephropathy. Biomark Res 12, 72 (2024). (accessed 4/28/25)
- Selvaskandan H et al. Front Immunol. 2020;11:572754
Speaker
Pranav Garimella, MD
Excellence as well as the Director of Acute Dialysis Services. He joined the American Kidney Fund as Chief Medical Officer in January 2025 as AKF’s first CMO. He received his training in India, Chicago, and completed his fellowship at Tufts University, training in clinical nephrology with a focus on polycystic kidney disease with Dr. Ron Perrone. Dr. Garimella is an established researcher whose research focus includes novel biomarkers of kidney function, cardiovascular disease, bone health and mortality. His research has been funded by the NIH, the Veterans Medical Research Foundation and UC San Diego. Dr. Garimella is also a trained epidemiologist who has authored several book chapters and over 110 articles in peer-reviewed journals including Annals of Internal Medicine, Journal of the American Society of Nephrology and Kidney International. He serves on the Editorial Board for Kidney Medicine, and as an as ad-hoc reviewer for multiple journals, including the New England Journal of Medicine, the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, the Atherosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology, American Journal of Kidney Diseases, and Clinical Nephrology. He has also received several awards for his research, clinical work, professionalism and teaching, and is a fellow of the American Society of Nephrology (FASN). He is also involved in initiatives to develop programs specifically targeted at minority populations in an effort to improve health literacy and potentially clinical outcomes.
Moderators
Sachin Hajarnis, PhD
Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc.*
Sachin Hajarnis, PhD is a Senior Medical Science Liaison at Otsuka Pharmaceuticals. Dr Hajarnis has a Bachelors and Masters in Life Sciences from University of Mumbai, India. He obtained a PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Colorado State University. Dr Hajarnis joined the University of Texas Southwestern Medical school in Dallas, as a post-doctoral fellow in the department of Nephrology where he performed basic research on various aspects of Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD). He continued his studies on the role of micro-RNAs in PKD as a Research Scientist for several years before joining his current position at Otsuka.
Marla Dallal, PharmD, RPH
Marla Dallal, PharmD, RPH is a Medical Science Liaison at Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development and Commercialization covering Southern California. She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Southern California, School of Pharmacy in Los Angeles. While in pharmacy school, Dr Dallal pursued various clinical internships within the acute care and ambulatory care settings at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and Kaiser Permanente. Prior to joining Otsuka, Dr Dallal held various positions within Medical Affairs at Amgen Inc covering the cardiometabolic and nephrology therapeutic areas. She also served as a preceptor at Amgen Inc, where she instructed pharmacy students on Advanced Pharmacy Practice rotations. She is currently licensed as a pharmacist in the state of California with the National Association Board of Pharmacy.
Dr. Pranav Garimella is a paid consultant of Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc.
Dr. Marla Dallal and Dr. Sachin Hajarnis are employees of Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc.
Disclaimer: The information provided through NephU is intended for the educational benefit of health care professionals and others who support care for those with kidney disease and other related conditions. It is not intended as, nor is it a substitute for, medical care, advice, or professional diagnosis. Health care professionals should use their independent judgement when reviewing NephU’s educational resources. Users seeking medical advice should consult with a health care professional.
