6 Nephrology Headlines You Missed in July 2025

July 2025 saw significant developments in the field of nephrology, with a key regulatory approval and clinical trial readouts reinforcing progress in renal disease treatment.

Most notably, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved pegcetacoplan (Empaveli) for C3 glomerulopathy (C3G) and primary immune complex membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (IC-MPGN), marking a major step forward in addressing complement-driven kidney disease. Meanwhile, promising phase 2 data for rilparencel in diabetic chronic kidney disease (CKD) and baxdrostat in primary aldosteronism point to potential future therapeutic options for underserved populations.

Additional research spotlighted broader risk factors and opportunities for intervention in CKD, including the protective impact of COVID-19 vaccination, a high prevalence of sarcopenia in dialysis patients, and the association between severe vitamin D deficiency and cognitive decline.

Check out this July 2025 nephrology month in review for a recap of HCPLive’s coverage of the top renal news and research from the past few weeks:

Pegcetacoplan Earns C3G FDA Approval

FDA Approves Pegcetacoplan (Empaveli) for C3 Glomerulopathy, IC-MPGN

On July 28, 2025, the FDA approved Apellis Pharmaceuticals’ pegcetacoplan (Empaveli) for the treatment of C3G and IC-MPGN in patients ≥ 12 years of age based on positive 26-week results from the phase 3 VALIANT trial, the largest single trial conducted in patients with C3G and IC-MPGN and the only study to include adolescent and adult patients with native and post-transplant kidneys. The approval indicates the agent for adults and adolescents with C3G or primary IC-MPGN, and post-transplant C3G disease recurrence.

Renal Trial Updates

Rilparencel Improves eGFR Slope in Phase 2 CKD, Diabetes REGEN-007 Trial

On July 8, 2025, ProKidney Corp announced statistically significant and clinically meaningful positive topline results from the full Group 1 modified intent-to-treat (mITT) population of the phase 2 REGEN-007 trial evaluating rilparencel in patients with CKD and diabetes. Topline data showed annual estimated glomerular filtration rate slope decline improvement in patients who received 2 scheduled rilparencel injections, 1 in each kidney, approximately 3 months apart. Of note, evidence of a dose response was also observed in a second group of patients who received a single rilparencel injection followed by a second injection only if kidney function worsened and a re-dosing trigger was met.

Phase 2a Baxdrostat Data Show Promise for Primary Aldosteronism

Data from the phase 2a SPARK trial suggest baxdrostat, a highly selective, second-generation, nonimidazole aldosterone synthase inhibitor, may offer a promising treatment option for patients with primary aldosteronism. At week 12 of the multicenter, open-label, prospective study, systolic blood pressure was reduced in all 15 participants by a mean of 24.9 mm Hg (95% confidence interval [CI], 19.0 to 30.8), hypokalemia was corrected in all 5 patients who had the condition, and no serious adverse events occurred during part 1 of the study.

Novel Nephrology Research

Prior COVID-19 Vaccination May Improve Kidney Outcomes, Survival in CKD

Prior vaccination against COVID-19 may play a critical role in improving renal outcomes and overall survival in patients with CKD and COVID-19 infection, according to findings from a recent global retrospective cohort study. Analyzing real-world data from the TriNetX database, investigators found vaccination against COVID-19 reduced the risks of major adverse kidney events and all-cause mortality, especially with ≥ 3 vaccine doses.

Sarcopenia Highly Prevalent Among Dialysis Patients, Study Finds

New research is shedding light on a high prevalence of sarcopenia among patients with CKD receiving dialysis, especially those on hemodialysis. The systematic review of 62 studies with > 15,000 participants determined the global prevalence of sarcopenia to be 30.1% for hemodialysis and 20.5% for peritoneal dialysis, additionally highlighting differences in prevalence based on which criteria was used and the timing of lean muscle mass measurement.

Severe Vitamin D Deficiency Linked to Cognitive Decline, Mortality in CKD

Recent research suggests vitamin D status may be associated with cognitive outcomes in patients with CKD, highlighting a heightened risk of cognitive decline and mortality with severe deficiency. While moderate vitamin D deficiency was not associated with cognitive impairment risk, severe vitamin D deficiency, defined as <10 ng/mL, was linked to a significantly increased risk of both mild cognitive impairment and mortality.