Bloomberg Tech Targeting IgA Nephropathy (Sponsored Content)
Dec 7, 2025
Rachel Benton shares her deeply personal journey of being diagnosed with IgA nephropathy during pregnancy, highlighting its emotional toll on her family. Dr. Jonathan Barrett explains the biology of the disease, detailing how immune complexes affect kidney function. Mark Bunnage discusses Vertex Pharmaceuticals' innovative research strategies focused on causal human biology aimed at developing therapies for serious conditions. Rachel advocates for routine health checks, emphasizing the importance of awareness and early diagnosis.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Discovery During Pregnancy Changed Everything
- Rachel Benton discovered protein in her urine during a routine pregnancy test which led to an eventual IgA nephropathy diagnosis.
- That early, incidental screening may have saved her life by prompting further tests and a biopsy.
Biopsy Confirmed A Rare Kidney Disease
- After childbirth Rachel retested and confirmed proteinuria, then underwent a kidney biopsy that diagnosed IgA nephropathy.
- The diagnosis left her shocked and emotionally overwhelmed for days as she faced uncertainty.
Often Silent Yet Progressively Serious
- IgA nephropathy often starts asymptomatically and is detected via routine urine dip tests showing blood or protein.
- Many patients progress variably, and a majority reach end-stage kidney disease within 20 years of diagnosis.