A Phase 3 interventional study of ianalumab s.c. q4w and ianalumab s.c. q12w in Lupus Nephritis, sponsored by Novartis Pharmaceuticals. Active, not recruiting at 145 sites in 27 countries. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 100 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-10-15.
Sponsored by Novartis Pharmaceuticals (part of Novartis) · Phase 3, Interventional, and Treatment
This trial will evaluate efficacy, safety, and tolerability of subcutaneous (s.c.) ianalumab given every 4 weeks (q4w) or every 12 weeks (q12w) compared to placebo, in combination with SoC, in adult participants with active LN
This trial will evaluate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of subcutaneous (s.c.) ianalumab given every 4 weeks (q4w) or ianalumab given every 12 weeks (q12w) compared to placebo, in combination with SoC, in adult participants with active LN (ISN/RPS class III, IV active glomerulonephritis with or without co-existing class V features, or pure class V membranous). using the 2003 International Society for Nephrology (ISN)/Renal Pathology Society (RPS) criteria).
340 studies on the registry are indexed under Lupus Nephritis; 135 are open to participants now.
This study's enrollment of 452 is above the median of 48 across 242 interventional studies indexed under Lupus Nephritis.
Browse Lupus Nephritis studies →Novartis Pharmaceuticals is the lead sponsor of 2,718 studies on the registry; 221 are open to participants now.
Of its 585 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 438 (75%) have results posted.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.
Participants eligible for inclusion in this study must meet all of the following criteria:
Newly diagnosed participants as well as pre-treated LN participants (including cases) can be included, as long as they are currently on, or willing to initiate SoC induction therapy for LN using MPA
Exclusion Criteria:
Participants meeting any of the following criteria are not eligible for inclusion in this study:
Prior treatment with any of the following within 12 weeks prior to randomization
Any one of the following laboratory values at screening:
Other protocol -defined Inclusion/Exclusion may apply.
Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
A biopsy takes a small piece of tissue to examine. “Archival tissue” is a sample already taken, for example at diagnosis, and kept by the hospital.
Whether a stored sample will do depends on when it was taken, how much there is and what the study needs. Ask whether the study accepts your stored sample or needs a new biopsy.
GFR (glomerular filtration rate) is how much blood the kidneys filter each minute. It is usually estimated from a blood test — eGFR, by formulas such as CKD-EPI or MDRD — and some studies ask for it to be measured directly instead. Usually given in mL/min/1.73 m².
Check the method, the units and the minimum the study states. A value of 90 or above is in the normal-or-high range, but kidney damage can show in other tests too.
Relapsed: the illness came back after treatment had worked. Refractory: it did not respond to treatment, or stopped responding while still on it.
Anti-inflammatory medicines such as prednisone, prednisolone and dexamethasone — not the anabolic steroids used for muscle.
Studies differ in what they allow: check which steroid medicines, routes (tablets, injections, creams, inhalers, eye drops) and doses this study accepts.
A reason a treatment, test or procedure should not be given to a particular person, such as an allergy, another illness or a medicine they take.
A drug or device being studied in a clinical trial.
It may be new, or already approved and being studied for another use, dose or form. Criteria often leave out people who took part in another study of one within a recent period, commonly 30 days or five half-lives.
The protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. A low level is anaemia, which can cause tiredness and breathlessness. Measured in g/dL or g/L (9 g/dL is 90 g/L).
Blood cells that help blood clot. Too few raises the risk of bleeding and bruising. A usual adult range is about 150–400 × 10⁹/L (150,000–400,000 per µL); each lab has its own reference range.
The number of neutrophils, white blood cells that help fight infection, in a given amount of blood. Too few raises the risk of infection.
It is a count, not a percentage of the white cells. Limits are written in units that mean the same: ≥ 1.5 × 10⁹/L is ≥ 1,500 per mm³ (µL). Each lab has its own reference range.
Judged by the study doctor to matter for your health or for the study. It is a doctor’s decision, so ask the study team if you are unsure whether something counts.
An allergy, or another reaction of the immune system, to a substance. “Hypersensitivity to the study drug” means a known allergic reaction to it — not every side effect a medicine can have.
The other ingredients in a medicine besides the active drug, such as fillers, colours or preservatives.
The human immunodeficiency virus, which weakens the immune system.
Many studies now accept people whose HIV is controlled on treatment, judged by the viral load and the CD4 count. Check the limits this study sets.
Malignancy means cancer. Criteria about another or earlier malignancy ask whether you have had a different cancer, usually within a set number of years.
Some are commonly allowed, such as treated skin cancers other than melanoma and early cancers removed completely — check the exceptions this study lists.
Cancer that has spread from where it began to other parts of the body. “Metastatic” cancer is cancer that has spread this way.
Hepatitis B is a virus that infects the liver. These are separate tests: HBsAg positive usually means a current infection (a recent vaccination can briefly cause it too); total anti-HBc (HBcAb) positive means an infection now or in the past; HBV DNA measures how much virus is in the blood.
Some studies accept a past infection if HBV DNA is undetectable, sometimes with antiviral medicine during the study. Check what this study allows.
Hepatitis C is a virus that infects the liver. An HCV antibody test can stay positive after an infection has cleared (and is occasionally positive without one); an HCV RNA test shows whether the virus is there now.
After treatment, hepatitis C counts as cured when HCV RNA is still undetectable 12 weeks or more after the treatment ended. Studies often accept people cured this way.
Able to become pregnant: from the first period until menopause, unless permanently unable to through surgery (removal of the womb, or of both ovaries or both fallopian tubes).
Criteria for people of childbearing potential usually ask for a negative pregnancy test and for contraception during the study and for a time after it.
Ways of preventing pregnancy. “Highly effective” methods fail less than 1% of the time a year when used correctly — for example an IUD or an implant.
Criteria usually say which methods count and how long to keep using them after the last dose, sometimes for male participants too. Some studies accept a partner’s vasectomy if it was confirmed successful and that person is the participant’s only sexual partner.
Biopsy and archival tissue
A biopsy takes a small piece of tissue to examine. “Archival tissue” is a sample already taken, for example at diagnosis, and kept by the hospital.
Whether a stored sample will do depends on when it was taken, how much there is and what the study needs. Ask whether the study accepts your stored sample or needs a new biopsy.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
GFR and eGFR (kidney filtering)
GFR (glomerular filtration rate) is how much blood the kidneys filter each minute. It is usually estimated from a blood test — eGFR, by formulas such as CKD-EPI or MDRD — and some studies ask for it to be measured directly instead. Usually given in mL/min/1.73 m².
Check the method, the units and the minimum the study states. A value of 90 or above is in the normal-or-high range, but kidney damage can show in other tests too.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Relapsed and refractory
Relapsed: the illness came back after treatment had worked. Refractory: it did not respond to treatment, or stopped responding while still on it.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Corticosteroids (steroids)
Anti-inflammatory medicines such as prednisone, prednisolone and dexamethasone — not the anabolic steroids used for muscle.
Studies differ in what they allow: check which steroid medicines, routes (tablets, injections, creams, inhalers, eye drops) and doses this study accepts.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Contraindication
A reason a treatment, test or procedure should not be given to a particular person, such as an allergy, another illness or a medicine they take.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Investigational drug or device
A drug or device being studied in a clinical trial.
It may be new, or already approved and being studied for another use, dose or form. Criteria often leave out people who took part in another study of one within a recent period, commonly 30 days or five half-lives.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Hemoglobin (Hb)
The protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. A low level is anaemia, which can cause tiredness and breathlessness. Measured in g/dL or g/L (9 g/dL is 90 g/L).
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Platelets
Blood cells that help blood clot. Too few raises the risk of bleeding and bruising. A usual adult range is about 150–400 × 10⁹/L (150,000–400,000 per µL); each lab has its own reference range.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Absolute neutrophil count (ANC)
The number of neutrophils, white blood cells that help fight infection, in a given amount of blood. Too few raises the risk of infection.
It is a count, not a percentage of the white cells. Limits are written in units that mean the same: ≥ 1.5 × 10⁹/L is ≥ 1,500 per mm³ (µL). Each lab has its own reference range.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Clinically significant
Judged by the study doctor to matter for your health or for the study. It is a doctor’s decision, so ask the study team if you are unsure whether something counts.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Hypersensitivity
An allergy, or another reaction of the immune system, to a substance. “Hypersensitivity to the study drug” means a known allergic reaction to it — not every side effect a medicine can have.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Excipients
The other ingredients in a medicine besides the active drug, such as fillers, colours or preservatives.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
HIV
The human immunodeficiency virus, which weakens the immune system.
Many studies now accept people whose HIV is controlled on treatment, judged by the viral load and the CD4 count. Check the limits this study sets.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Cancer (malignancy)
Malignancy means cancer. Criteria about another or earlier malignancy ask whether you have had a different cancer, usually within a set number of years.
Some are commonly allowed, such as treated skin cancers other than melanoma and early cancers removed completely — check the exceptions this study lists.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Metastases
Cancer that has spread from where it began to other parts of the body. “Metastatic” cancer is cancer that has spread this way.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Hepatitis B tests
Hepatitis B is a virus that infects the liver. These are separate tests: HBsAg positive usually means a current infection (a recent vaccination can briefly cause it too); total anti-HBc (HBcAb) positive means an infection now or in the past; HBV DNA measures how much virus is in the blood.
Some studies accept a past infection if HBV DNA is undetectable, sometimes with antiviral medicine during the study. Check what this study allows.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Hepatitis C tests
Hepatitis C is a virus that infects the liver. An HCV antibody test can stay positive after an infection has cleared (and is occasionally positive without one); an HCV RNA test shows whether the virus is there now.
After treatment, hepatitis C counts as cured when HCV RNA is still undetectable 12 weeks or more after the treatment ended. Studies often accept people cured this way.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Childbearing potential
Able to become pregnant: from the first period until menopause, unless permanently unable to through surgery (removal of the womb, or of both ovaries or both fallopian tubes).
Criteria for people of childbearing potential usually ask for a negative pregnancy test and for contraception during the study and for a time after it.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Contraception
Ways of preventing pregnancy. “Highly effective” methods fail less than 1% of the time a year when used correctly — for example an IUD or an implant.
Criteria usually say which methods count and how long to keep using them after the last dose, sometimes for male participants too. Some studies accept a partner’s vasectomy if it was confirmed successful and that person is the participant’s only sexual partner.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
ianalumab s.c. q4w in addition to standard of care (SoC)
Drug: ianalumab s.c. q4w
ianalumab s.c. q12w in addition to SoC
Drug: ianalumab s.c. q12w
Placebo s.c. q4w in addition to SoC
Drug: placebo s.c.
ianalumab s.c. q4w in addition to SoC
Also known as: VAY736
ianalumab s.c. q12w in addition to SoC
Also known as: VAY736
placebo s.c. q4w in addition to SoC
Also known as: placebo
Frequency and percentage of participants achieving stable Complete Renal Response (CRR)
The primary objective is to demonstrate superiority of ianalumab compared to placebo, in achieving stable CRR (defined as estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥90 ml/min/1.73 m2 or no less than 85% of baseline, AND, 24-hour UPCR \<0.5 g/g) at Week 72 in active lupus nephritis (ISN/RPS class III, IV active glomerulonephritis with or without co-existing class V features, or pure class V membranous) participants on background SoC therapy.
Time frame: Week 72
Time to first occurrence of stable urine protein-to-creatinine ratio (UPCR) <0.5 g/g or ≥50% reduction from baseline
To demonstrate superiority of ianalumab, compared to placebo, in time to first occurrence of stable urine protein-to-creatinine ratio (UPCR) \<0.5 g/g or ≥50% reduction from baseline up to Week 72
Time frame: Week 72
Percentage of participants achieving stable Overall Renal Response (ORR), defined as achievement as either Complete Renal Response (CRR) or Partial Renal Response (PRR)
To demonstrate superiority of ianalumab, compared to placebo, in achieving stable Overall Renal Response (ORR) at Week 48
Time frame: Week 48
Incidence of stable Complete Renal Response (CRR) while maintaining daily corticosteroid dose ≤5 mg/day
To demonstrate superiority of ianalumab, compared to placebo, in achieving stable Complete Renal Response (CRR) at Week 72 while maintaining daily corticosteroid dose ≤5 mg/day between Week 24 and Week 72
Time frame: Week 72
Incidence of renal-related event or death
To demonstrate superiority of ianalumab, compared to placebo, in preventing renal-related event or death through Week 72
Time frame: Week 72
Change in British Isles Lupus Activity Group (BILAG) score
To demonstrate superiority of ianalumab, compared to placebo in BILAG-2004 at Week 72
Time frame: Week 72
Change in Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy (FACIT) Fatigue score
To demonstrate superiority of ianalumab, compared to placebo, in FACIT-Fatigue at Week 72
Time frame: Week 72
Number of participants with treatment-emergent Adverse Events (AEs)
AEs are any untoward sign or symptom that occurs during the study treatment
Time frame: Week 72
Ianalumab concentration in serum
To characterize the pharmacokinetics (PK) of ianalumab mean, median, minimum and maximum concentrations will be provided
Time frame: Week 72
Incidence and titer of anti-ianalumab antibodies in serum (ADA assay) over time
To evaluate immunogenicity of ianalumab
Time frame: Week 72
Showing the first 100 of 145 sites across 27 countries. Choose a country and city above to see the rest.
Plan to share: Yes — Novartis is committed to sharing access to patient-level data and supporting clinical documents from eligible studies with qualified external researchers. Requests are reviewed and approved by an independent review panel on the basis of scientific merit. All data provided is anonymized to protect the privacy of patients who have participated in the trial in line with applicable laws and regulations. This trial data availability is according to the criteria and process described on www.clinicalstudydatarequest.com
Data sharing details ↗ · www.clinicalstudydatarequest.com
No publications or documents are linked to this record.
Started Jul 2022 (actual). Primary completion is estimated for Sep 2027, 62 months after the start.
How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.
From the registry record's own update history. This site started tracking changes on Sep 25, 2026; for anything earlier, see the record history on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
This study is active, not recruiting, as verified in Oct 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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Studies of the drug tested here: Ianalumab