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Lupus NephritisPhase 2SANCTUARYNCT04564339

Study of Ravulizumab in Proliferative Lupus Nephritis (LN) or Immunoglobulin A Nephropathy (IgAN)

A Phase 2 study testing Ravulizumab and Background Therapy in people with Lupus Nephritis and Immunoglobulin A Nephropathy, run by Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. at 64 sites in 12 countries.

Terminated

Stopped early. The study ended before it was planned to and will not resume.

Official record
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Trial summary

The objectives of this study are to evaluate the safety and efficacy of ravulizumab administered by intravenous (IV) infusion compared to placebo and demonstrate proof-of-concept of the efficacy of terminal complement inhibition in participants with LN (LN Cohort) or IgAN (IgAN Cohort). Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 75 years
Conditions the study is for
Lupus Nephritis, Immunoglobulin A Nephropathy
What is being tested?
Ravulizumab and Background Therapy
Type of treatment
Injection or infusion
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
123 participants
Where
64 sitesin 12 countries
Study dates
19 Jan 2021to 18 Aug 2025
Phase
Phase 2
Are there results?
Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 to 75 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Common to both disease cohorts:
  • Proteinuria ≥1 (gram [g]/day or g/g)
  • Vaccinated against meningococcal infection
  • Vaccinated for Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) and Streptococcus pneumoniae according to national/local regulatory requirements
  • For LN cohort:
  • Diagnosis of active focal or diffuse proliferative LN Class III or IV
Show all 10Show fewer
  • Clinically active LN, requiring/receiving immunosuppression induction treatment
  • For IgAN cohort:
  • Diagnosis of primary IgAN
  • Compliance with stable and optimal dose of renin-angiotensin system inhibitor treatment for ≥ 3 months

Who cannot join

  • Common to both disease cohorts:
  • eGFR < 30 milliliters/minute/1.73 meters squared
  • Previously received a complement inhibitor (for example, eculizumab)
  • Concomitant significant renal disease other than LN or IgAN
  • History of other solid organ or bone marrow transplant
  • Uncontrolled hypertension
Show all 9Show fewer
  • For IgAN cohort:
  • Diagnosis of rapid progressive glomerulonephritis
  • Prednisone or prednisone equivalent > 20 milligram (mg) per day for > 14 consecutive days or any other immunosuppression within 6 months

Trial locations and contacts

64 sites in 12 countries.

64 sites in 12 countries

United States17 sites
  • Research Site

    Boston, Massachusetts, 02114

  • Research Site

    Boston, Massachusetts, 02115

  • Research Site

    Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599

  • Research Site

    Columbus, Ohio, 43203

  • Research Site

    El Paso, Texas, 79935

  • Research Site

    Houston, Texas, 77054

  • Research Site

    Kansas City, Missouri, 64111

  • Research Site

    Lawrenceville, Georgia, 30046

  • Research Site

    Lexington, Kentucky, 40536

  • Research Site

    Louisville, Kentucky, 40202

  • Research Site

    New York, New York, 10003

  • Research Site

    Orlando, Florida, 32835

  • Research Site

    Plantation, Florida, 33324

  • Research Site

    San Dimas, California, 91773

  • Research Site

    Santa Monica, California, 90404

  • Research Site

    South Gate, California, 90280

  • Research Site

    Stanford, California, 94305

Other trials in United States

Spain11 sites
  • Research Site

    Barcelona, 08035

  • Research Site

    Barcelona, 08036

  • Research Site

    Lleida, 25198

  • Research Site

    Madrid, 28007

  • Research Site

    Madrid, 28040

  • Research Site

    Madrid, 28041

  • Research Site

    Málaga, 29010

  • Research Site

    Palma de Mallorca, 07010

  • Research Site

    Seville, 41013

  • Research Site

    Valencia, 46017

  • Research Site

    Zaragoza, 50009

Other trials in Spain

France6 sites
  • Research Site

    Clermont-Ferrand, 63003

  • Research Site

    Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, 94270

  • Research Site

    Paris, 75020

  • Research Site

    Saint-Priest-en-Jarez, 42270

  • Research Site

    Strasbourg, 67091

  • Research Site

    Toulouse, 31059

Other trials in France

South Korea6 sites
  • Research Site

    Anyang-si, 14068

  • Research Site

    Seongnam-si, 13620

  • Research Site

    Seoul, 03080

  • Research Site

    Seoul, 03722

  • Research Site

    Seoul, 134-727

  • Research Site

    Seoul, 6591

Other trials in South Korea

Germany4 sites
  • Research Site

    Berlin, 10117

  • Research Site

    Essen, 45147

  • Research Site

    Hanover, 30625

  • Research Site

    Lübeck, 23538

Other trials in Germany

Italy4 sites
  • Research Site

    Bologna, 40138

  • Research Site

    Brescia, 25123

  • Research Site

    Florence, 50134

  • Research Site

    Torino, 10154

Other trials in Italy

Taiwan4 sites
  • Research Site

    Kaohsiung City, 80756

  • Research Site

    Kaohsiung City, 833401

  • Research Site

    New Taipei City, 23561

  • Research Site

    Taichung, 40447

Other trials in Taiwan

United Kingdom4 sites
  • Research Site

    Edgbaston, B15 2WB

  • Research Site

    London, SE1 7EH

  • Research Site

    London, W12 0HS

  • Research Site

    Salford, M6 8HD

Other trials in United Kingdom

Australia3 sites
  • Research Site

    Herston, 4029

  • Research Site

    Parkville, 3050

  • Research Site

    Westmead, 2145

Other trials in Australia

Canada3 sites
  • Research Site

    London, Ontario, N6A 5W9

  • Research Site

    Montreal, Quebec, H1T 2M4

  • Research Site

    Québec, Quebec, G1R 2J6

Other trials in Canada

Netherlands1 site
  • Research Site

    Maastricht, 6229 HX

Other trials in Netherlands

Poland1 site
  • Research Site

    Lodz, 92-213

Other trials in Poland

About this study

Official title: A Phase 2, Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Ravulizumab in Adult Participants With Proliferative Lupus Nephritis (LN) or Immunoglobulin A Nephropathy (IgAN)

The objectives of this study are to evaluate the safety and efficacy of ravulizumab administered by intravenous (IV) infusion compared to placebo and demonstrate proof-of-concept of the efficacy of terminal complement inhibition in participants with LN (LN Cohort) or IgAN (IgAN Cohort).

Read the detailed description

This study consists of a 6-week Screening Period, 26-week Initial Evaluation Period, a 24-week Extension Period, and a 36-week post-treatment Follow-up Period.

Being tested
Ravulizumab, Placebo, Background Therapy
Keywords
glomerulonephritis, IGA, lupus nephritis, complement C5
Medical subject headings
Lupus Nephritis, Glomerulonephritis, IGA, Glomerulonephritis

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • RavulizumabDrug

    Also called Ultomiris

    Dosages (loading and maintenance) will be based on the participant's body weight.

  • PlaceboDrug

    Dosages (loading and maintenance) will be based on the participant's body weight.

  • Background TherapyOther

    Participants will receive background therapy consistent with the standard of care.

Study groups in NCT04564339
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Ravulizumab: LN CohortExperimentalEligible participants will receive ravulizumab IV infusion in combination with background therapy during both the Initial Evaluation Period (26 weeks) and Extension Period (24 weeks). During the Follow-up Period (36 weeks) participants will receive background therapy according to the standard of care.
Receives: Drug: Ravulizumab; Other: Background Therapy
Placebo: LN CohortPlacebo comparatorEligible participants will receive placebo IV infusion in combination with background therapy during both the Initial Evaluation Period (26 weeks) and Extension Period (24 weeks). During the Follow-up Period (36 weeks) participants will receive background therapy according to the standard of care.
Receives: Drug: Placebo; Other: Background Therapy
Ravulizumab: IgAN CohortExperimentalEligible participants will receive ravulizumab IV infusion in combination with background therapy during both the Initial Evaluation Period (26 weeks) and Extension Period (24 weeks). During the Follow-up Period (36 weeks) participants will receive background therapy according to the standard of care.
Receives: Drug: Ravulizumab; Other: Background Therapy
Placebo: IgAN CohortPlacebo comparatorEligible participants will receive placebo IV infusion in combination with background therapy during the Initial Evaluation Period (26 weeks) and will switch to ravulizumab for the Extension Period (24 weeks). During the Follow-up Period (36 weeks) participants will receive background therapy according to the standard of care.
Receives: Drug: Ravulizumab; Drug: Placebo; Other: Background Therapy

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. IgAN Cohort: Percentage Change From Baseline in Proteinuria at Week 26 Measured by Absolute Protein (Based on 24-hour Urine Collections)

    Proteinuria, the presence of excess proteins in the urine, was measured by absolute protein in grams/day derived from 24-hour urine collections obtained at designated timepoints. A negative change from baseline indicated a reduction in symptoms.

    Measured: Baseline, Week 26

  2. LN Cohort: Percentage Change From Baseline in Proteinuria at Week 26 Measured by Urine Protein to Creatinine Ratio (UPCR) (Based on 24-hour Urine Collections)

    Proteinuria, the presence of excess proteins in the urine, was measured by UPCR in grams/gram derived from 24-hour urine collections obtained at designated timepoints. A negative change from baseline indicated a reduction in symptoms.

    Measured: Baseline, Week 26

Secondary outcomes (18)
  1. IgAN Cohort: Percentage Change From Baseline in Proteinuria at Week 50 Measured by Absolute Protein (Based on 24-hour Urine Collections)

    Proteinuria, the presence of excess proteins in the urine, was measured by absolute protein in grams/day derived from 24-hour urine collections obtained at designated timepoints. A negative change from baseline indicated a reduction in symptoms.

    Measured: Baseline, Week 50

  2. LN Cohort: Percentage Change From Baseline in Proteinuria at Week 50 Measured by UPCR (Based on 24-hour Urine Collections)

    Proteinuria, the presence of excess proteins in the urine, was measured by UPCR in grams/gram derived from 24-hour urine collections obtained at designated timepoints. A negative change from baseline indicated a reduction in symptoms.

    Measured: Baseline, Week 50

  3. IgAN Cohort: Percentage of Participants With > 30% and > 50% Reduction in Proteinuria at Week 26 and Week 50 Compared to Baseline Assessed Using 24-hour Urine Collections

    Proteinuria, the presence of excess proteins in the urine, was measured by absolute protein in grams/day derived from 24-hour urine collections obtained at designated timepoints.

    Measured: Baseline to Week 26 and Week 50

  4. LN Cohort: Percentage of Participants With > 30% and > 50% Reduction in Proteinuria at Week 26 and Week 50 Compared to Baseline Assessed Using 24-hour Urine Collections

    Proteinuria, the presence of excess proteins in the urine, was measured by UPCR in grams/gram derived from 24-hour urine collections obtained at designated timepoints.

    Measured: Baseline to Week 26 and Week 50

  5. IgAN Cohort: Change From Baseline in Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) at Week 26 and Week 50

    Changes in kidney function were monitored using measurements of eGFR and calculated based on the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration formula. Results are reported in milliliters/minute/1.73 meters squared (mL/min/1.73 m^2). Estimates of change from baseline are least-square means based on a mixed-effect model for repeated measures model that included change from baseline as the response variable, treatment as independent variable and adjusts for covariates of baseline and the stratification factor at randomization. An increase in eGFR in response to treatment indicated a reduction in symptoms.

    Measured: Baseline, Week 26 and Week 50

  6. LN Cohort: Change From Baseline in eGFR at Week 26 and Week 50

    Changes in kidney function were monitored using measurements of eGFR and calculated based on the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration formula. Results are reported in mL/min/1.73 m^2. Estimates of change from baseline are least-square means based on a mixed-effect model for repeated measures model that included change from baseline as the response variable, treatment as independent variable and adjusts for covariates of baseline and the stratification factor at randomization. An increase in eGFR in response to treatment indicated a reduction in symptoms.

    Measured: Baseline, Week 26 and Week 50

  7. IgAN Cohort: Change From Baseline in Serum Complement Component 3 (C3) and Complement Component 4 (C4) Concentrations at Week 26 and Week 50

    Measured: Baseline, Week 26 and Week 50

  8. LN Cohort: Change From Baseline in Serum C3 and C4 Concentrations at Week 26 and Week 50

    Measured: Baseline, Week 26 and Week 50

  9. LN Cohort: Percentage of Participants Meeting the Criteria for Complete Renal Response (CRR)

    The CRR was defined as meeting all 3 of the following criteria: - UPCR ≤0.5 gram/gram (g/g); - eGFR >60 mL/min/1.73 m^2 or no eGFR reduction ≥20% from baseline; and - no treatment failure. Treatment failure was defined as the receipt of additional standard of care therapy at any time during the study for protocol-defined renal flare, severe extrarenal systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) flare, or suboptimal response.

    Measured: Week 26 and Week 50

  10. LN Cohort: Percentage of Participants Meeting the Criteria for Partial Renal Response (PRR)

    The PRR was defined as meeting all 3 of the following criteria: - decrease of UPCR >50% from baseline; - eGFR >60 mL/min/1.73 m^2 or no eGFR reduction ≥20% from baseline; and - no treatment failure. Treatment failure was defined as the receipt of additional standard of care therapy at any time during the study for protocol-defined renal flare, severe extrarenal SLE flare, or suboptimal response.

    Measured: Week 26 and Week 50

  11. LN Cohort: Time to Urine Protein to Creatinine Ratio (UPCR) < 0.5 g/g, as Measured by Spot Urine Samples

    Measured: Baseline through Week 50

  12. LN Cohort: Percentage of Participants Achieving Corticosteroid Taper to 7.5 Milligrams (mg)/Day

    A corticosteroid taper was carried out per protocol at the clinical discretion of the investigator.

    Measured: Week 14, Week 26, and Week 50

  13. LN Cohort: Percentage of Participants With Renal Flare

    Renal flare was determined in the opinion of the investigator and additional protocol-specified criteria. For participants who achieved a CRR, a renal flare was the reproducible recurrence of proteinuria ≥1g/g. For all other participants, a renal flare was either of the following: a reproducible increase of serum creatinine >25% higher than baseline, above the upper limit of normal (plus additional protocol-specified criteria), or a reproducible doubling of the UPCR from a 24-hour urine collection compared with the lowest previous value obtained after the first dose of study intervention.

    Measured: Baseline through Week 50

  14. LN Cohort: Percentage of Participants With Extrarenal Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) Flare

    Extrarenal SLE flare was defined as an increase in the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K) Safety of Estrogens in Lupus Erythematosus National Assessment modification ≥4 points that was not accounted for by proteinuria, hematuria, urinary cellular casts, hypocomplementemia, or an increase in anti-double-stranded DNA antibody level. The SLEDAI-2K is an instrument that was used to assess the disease activity of extrarenal SLE flare across 18 disease descriptors. Each descriptor carried a weighted value ranging from 1-8, with the reported score calculated as the sum of these descriptors and ranging from 0 to 85. Higher scores represent increased degrees of disease activity.

    Measured: Baseline through Week 50

  15. LN Cohort: Percentage of Participants With Treatment Failure

    Treatment failure was defined as the receipt of additional standard of care therapy at any time during the study for protocol-defined renal flare, severe extrarenal SLE flare, or suboptimal response.

    Measured: Baseline through Week 50

  16. LN Cohort: Percentage of Participants With Suboptimal Response

    A suboptimal response was to be determined in the opinion of the investigator in addition to the following criterion: reproducible proteinuria ≤25% decreased compared to baseline based on UPCR on a 24-hour urine collection performed by a central laboratory.

    Measured: Baseline through Week 50

  17. LN Cohort: Change From Baseline in Serum Albumin at Week 26 and Week 50

    For the determination of serum albumin, blood samples were obtained at designated time points.

    Measured: Baseline, Week 26, Week 50

  18. IgAN Cohort: Percentage of Participants Meeting the Criteria for Partial Remission

    Partial remission was defined as mean proteinuria <1 g/24 hours, based on two valid 24-hour urine collections obtained within 2 weeks prior to the study visit.

    Measured: Week 26 and Week 50

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted25 Sep 2020
  2. Study start19 Jan 2021
  3. Primary completion26 Mar 2025
  4. Study completion18 Aug 2025

Why it stopped: Sponsor Decision.

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase 2
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
Triple blind
Who is masked
Participant, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
123 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT04564339
Sponsor's protocol ID
ALXN1210-NEPH-202
Other IDs
2020-001537-13
Acronym
SANCTUARY
Status last verified
Jan 2026
First submitted
21 Sep 2020
Last updated
22 Jan 2026
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
Yes
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Publications

  • Howie AJ, Lalayiannis AD. The Oxford Classification Should Remain the Gold Standard for Classification of IgA Nephropathy: CON. Kidney360. 2026 Oct 1;7(10):2382-2384. doi: 10.34067/KID.0000001083. Epub 2026 Feb 9. No abstract available.

    PubMed 41661687
  • Lafayette R, Tumlin J, Fenoglio R, Kaufeld J, Perez Valdivia MA, Wu MS, Susan Huang SH, Alamartine E, Kim SG, Yee M, Kateifides A, Rice K, Garlo K, Barratt J; SANCTUARY Study Investigators. Efficacy and Safety of Ravulizumab in IgA Nephropathy: A Phase 2 Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2025 Apr 1;36(4):645-656. doi: 10.1681/ASN.0000000534. Epub 2024 Oct 25.

    PubMed 39455063
  • Avasare R, Drexler Y, Caster DJ, Mitrofanova A, Jefferson JA. Management of Lupus Nephritis: New Treatments and Updated Guidelines. Kidney360. 2023 Oct 1;4(10):1503-1511. doi: 10.34067/KID.0000000000000230.

    PubMed 37528520

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 2 study testing Ravulizumab and Background Therapy in people with Lupus Nephritis and Immunoglobulin A Nephropathy, run by Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. at 64 sites in 12 countries.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 10 inclusion and 9 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: stopped early, as of the sponsor's last update on 22 Jan 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 64 sites in United States, Spain, France, South Korea, Germany and 7 more countries. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

What does this phase mean?

Phase 2 studies give the treatment to a larger group to see whether it has the intended effect and to keep checking safety.

Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.

Are results available for this study?

Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 22 Jan 2026). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

IgAN Cohort: Percentage Change From Baseline in Proteinuria at Week 26 Measured by Absolute Protein (Based on 24-hour Urine Collections) (time frame: Baseline, Week 26). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT04564339, which also lists 3 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 22 Jan 2026.

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