Industry Symposium 27

Session Title: The Complement Connection: Rethinking Disease Progression in IgA Nephropathy
Organized by: Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Session Description:
IgA nephropathy is the most common primary glomerulonephritis and a leading cause of chronic kidney disease worldwide. However, its incidence and prevalence vary globally, likely reflecting genetic, environmental, and healthcare-related differences. The underlying mechanisms are multifactorial, disease progression is heterogeneous, and many aspects remain incompletely understood.
This symposium, The Complement Connection: Rethinking Disease Progression in IgA Nephropathy, will provide an up-to-date overview of IgA nephropathy, with a particular focus on the emerging role of the complement system in disease pathogenesis and progression.
Chaired by Prof. Hitoshi Suzuki (Juntendo University, Japan), the session will begin with Dr Shikha Wadhwani (University of Texas, US) discussing current concepts and the clinical context of IgA nephropathy, covering presentation, natural history, and epidemiology. This will be followed by Prof. Jonathan Barratt (University of Leicester, UK) exploring recent insights into complement activation and its contribution to disease mechanisms and progression.
The symposium will conclude with a faculty panel discussion and audience Q&A, chaired by Prof. Hitoshi Suzuki, offering delegates the opportunity to engage directly with leading experts and discuss the latest advances in the field. We hope that the diverse perspectives and interactive discussions will offer valuable knowledge and stimulate further interest in this evolving area.

Learning Objectives:
• Understand the variability in disease progression among patients with IgA nephropathy
• Recognize the role of the complement system, and how activation may influence IgA nephropathy pathogenesis including tubulointerstitial fibrosis
• Consider how evolving insights into the mechanisms of IgA Nephropathy may inform future approaches