Jade Biosciences recently announced that the first participant has been dosed in JUNIPER, the company’s phase 2 trial evaluating JADE101 in participants with immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN). JADE101 is designed with ultra-high binding affinity to selectively block APRIL, a key driver of pathogenic IgA production in IgAN, a chronic autoimmune disease that frequently affects young adults and can lead to end-stage kidney disease over a patient’s lifetime. Interim data from JUNIPER are expected in 2027.

Andrew King, Ph.D., President—Research and Development, Jade Biosciences, said, “Maximising the clinical benefit of the anti-APRIL mechanism and delivering a convenient dosing profile, requires optimised potency and durability. Preclinical data showed JADE101 has ultra-high binding affinity to APRIL and a differentiated pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile, supporting the potential to drive deep and sustained IgA reductions and enable patient-friendly subcutaneous dosing of no more frequently than every 8 weeks. We look forward to continuing to advance JADE101 in the phase 2 JUNIPER trial.”

JUNIPER is an open-label phase 2 clinical trial designed to evaluate JADE101 in approximately 30 participants with IgAN, including its safety and tolerability, changes in urine protein-to-creatinine ratio, a key prognostic marker of risk of disease progression, renal function as measured by estimated glomerular filtration rate, and resolution of hematuria.