Although ANG-3777, partnered with Vifor, missed its primary endpoint in cardiovascular surgery patients at risk for acute kidney injury, the companies will consider a path forward based on a renal events measure.

Vifor and Angion’s ANG-3777 has failed in a Phase III trial for kidney transplant patients at risk of delayed graft function less than a year after the companies sealed a $80m licencing deal for the product. As focus shifts to another rare nephrological indication, analysts express skepticism.

The Swiss group has delivered on its promise to secure more deals in the nephrology space by bagging the rights in Europe, Australia and New Zealand to sparsentan, which is deep into a Phase III program for focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and IgA nephropathy.

The Swiss group has posted a solid if unspectacular set of six-month results and is "working on a number of opportunities" that should close by the end of the year, according to its CFO.