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BIOMARKER · IGA NEPHROPATHY · KIDNEY OUTCOMES

The GalD Assay: An Independent Predictor of Kidney Outcomes in IgA Nephropathy

Percent change in serum galactose-deficient IgA1, measured by The GalD Assay, is an independent predictor of kidney outcomes in 245 adults from the NIH-funded CureGN consortium.
ERA 2026 · #1886 | #3725
THE STUDY

Percent change in serum galactose-deficient IgA1, measured by The GalD Assay, is an independent predictor of kidney outcomes in 245 adults from the NIH-funded CureGN consortium.
WHAT THE DATA SHOWS

Rise in serum Gd-IgA1 independently predicts kidney failure in IgAN patients 
  • Bidirectional, dose-response risk. A 10% rise in serum Gd-IgA1 carries +11.7% higher risk of kidney failure; a 10% fall corresponds to −9.0% lower risk.

  • Independent predictor. Risk held after full adjustment for eGFR, UPCR, age, race, RAAS inhibitors, and immunosuppressants.

  • Long-horizon validation. Endpoints adjudicated prospectively over 8.5 years across a real-world, multi-ethnic, multicenter consortium.

  • Independent Biomarker. Serum Gd-IgA1, measured via lectin-based assay does not depend on total IgA levels. 
BIDIRECTIONAL RISK · KIDNEY FAILURE
KDIGO 2025 · CLINICAL PRACTICE GUIDELINE 

"Reduction or prevention of IgA-IC formation should incorporate treatments that have been proven to reduce pathogenic forms of IgA (commonly measured as galactose-deficient IgA1 [Gd-IgA1])."

Gd-IgA1, measured by The GalD Assay, directly tracks the IgA-IC pathway targeted by these guidelines — a standardized biomarker that independently predicts kidney outcomes in IgAN. 
THE GalD™ ASSAY

What makes The GalD Assay the right tool 

Prior lectin-based Gd-IgA1 ELISAs were limited by batch-to-batch variability and inconsistent reagent specificity — making cross-study comparison impossible. 
01 | STANDARDIZED & VALIDATED 

Defined performance specifications ensure consistent, reliable Gd-IgA1 measurement across labs and time points.
02 | CROSS-STUDY COMPARABLE  

Calibrated reference standards enable direct Gd-IgA1 comparison across sites, time points, and trials. 
03 | EASY TO IMPLEMENT   

4-hour assay, 96-well plate, 36 duplicate samples — all components and instructions included. 
04 | PLATFORM-RELIABLE 

Performs consistently across automated and manual platforms — reliable regardless of lab instrumentation. 

Julian BA et al. · ERA 2026 · Abstract #1886
Placzek WJ et al. · ERA 2026 · Abstract #3725 

Reliant Glycosciences LLC, Birmingham, AL — in collaboration with CureGN, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI Funded by NIDDK R44DK139874 & Innovate Alabama · CureGN: U24DK100845, U01DK100846/876/866/867 (NIDDK) Recruitment supported by NephCure

Birmingham, AL, USA · For research use only