Press Release
CONFERENCE ABSTRACT ANNOUNCEMENT
European Renal Association (ERA) 2026 Congress · Glasgow · June 3–6, 2026
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Reliant Glycosciences to Present Landmark IgAN Biomarker Data at ERA 2026 Congress in Glasgow
Birmingham, AL / April 2026
Reliant Glycosciences is pleased to announce that its abstract, "Increase in serum galactose-deficient IgA1 level
measured by new lectin-ELISA predicts progression to kidney failure in adults with IgA nephropathy," has been
accepted for presentation at the upcoming European Renal Association (ERA) 2026 Congress in Glasgow, June 3–6.
The abstract highlights the results from a longitudinal study of 245 adults conducted in collaboration with the
NIH-sponsored Cure Glomerulonephropathy Network (CureGN). In collaboration with the CureGN Network, the
study found that every 1% rise in serum galactose-deficient IgA1 (Gd-IgA1), measured using the GalD™ Assay,
corresponds to a 1.3% increase in the risk of kidney failure over an 8.5-year follow-up period — establishing percent
change in serum Gd-IgA1 as an independent predictor of kidney failure in IgAN, and the first such validation for a
standardized Gd-IgA1 assay in a large, multi-center longitudinal cohort.
The findings arrive at a pivotal moment for the IgAN field. With multiple targeted therapies now in late-stage clinical
trials or recently approved, the demand for validated, reproducible biomarkers to stratify patients and track treatment
response has never been greater. Gd-IgA1 is the central pathogenic driver in IgAN — the autoantigen that triggers the
autoimmune cascade leading to glomerular injury — yet its measurement has historically been hampered by assay
variability, which has prevented meaningful cross-study interpretation. The GalD™ Assay was developed specifically
to address these challenges, and the data confirms it delivers prognostic value.
"With the advent of novel therapies targeting the underlying immunologic pathogenesis of IgA nephropathy,
there is an urgent need for disease-specific biomarkers to support risk stratification and guide treatment
choices. Historically, our work has shown that a lectin-based assay would be the most reliable way to
measure circulating levels of galactose-deficient IgA1. A blood test that can accurately and reproducibly
quantify levels of this key player in the disease pathogenesis has the potential to improve how we monitor
disease progression and enable the implementation of tailored treatment strategies for our patients —
a step forward towards personalized care."
— Dana Rizk, MD, Nephrologist
Reliant Glycosciences is actively expanding the availability of the GalD™ Assay to research laboratories worldwide
and is engaged with key opinion leaders across clinical research, therapeutic development, and disease monitoring.
Reliant was founded on the conviction that better assays lead to better outcomes for IgAN patients — and the
company remains focused on building the evidence base that puts that conviction into practice.
Find Us at ERA 2026
| Conference | Location | Date | Session | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ERA 2026 Congress | Glasgow Scotland | Thursday June 4th | Focused Oral — Room | 17:33 |
Poster Title
Increase in serum galactose-deficient IgA1 level measured by new lectin-ELISA predicts progression to kidney failure in adults with IgA nephropathy
About Reliant Glycosciences
Reliant Glycosciences, LLC is a Birmingham, Alabama-based biotechnology company founded in 2015 as a
spin-out from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. The company was established to commercialize
breakthrough research from the laboratory of Dr. Jan Novak, whose team identified the role of
galactose-deficient IgA1 (Gd-IgA1) and disease-specific autoantibodies in the pathogenesis of IgA
nephropathy. Reliant Glycosciences developed the GalD™ Assay — a quantitative biomarker tool designed to
support IgA nephropathy research, disease monitoring, and the advancement of targeted therapies. Reliant's
team brings together leading experts in biochemistry, nephrology, and assay development, united by a
commitment to improving patient outcomes in IgA nephropathy.
For more information, contact:
Tatum Moss, MBA
Street@reliantglycosciences.com