Maze’s MZE829 Cuts Proteinuria 35.6%, Moves to Pivotal Trials as Stock Falls 18.3%
Maze’s MZE829 achieved a 35.6% mean uACR reduction at week 12 in a Phase II HORIZON trial, with a 61.8% decrease in FSGS patients and 50% of participants exceeding a 30% drop. The well-tolerated drug will enter pivotal trials while Maze’s stock plunged 18.3% to open at $40.
1. Phase II HORIZON Trial Results
Maze’s MZE829 achieved a 35.6% mean reduction in urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (uACR) at week 12 in patients with broad APOL1-mediated kidney disease. The focal segmental glomerulosclerosis subgroup saw a 61.8% mean uACR drop, 50% of all participants exceeded a 30% reduction, non-diabetic patients experienced a 48.6% mean decrease and two of five diabetic patients met the responder threshold.
2. Safety and Tolerability
MZE829 was well tolerated across all evaluated doses with no serious adverse events or severe treatment-related adverse events reported, supporting its safety profile for further development.
3. Competitive Landscape
MZE829’s dual-mechanism APOL1 inhibition positions Maze to challenge Vertex’s inaxaplin, which demonstrated a 47.6% proteinuria reduction at 13 weeks and is currently in Phase II/III studies of APOL1-mediated kidney disease.
4. Stock Market Reaction and Next Steps
Maze’s shares plunged 18.3% to open at $40 after closing at $49 on the prior trading session, partly influenced by recent annual financial disclosures. The company will continue enrolling patients in the HORIZON trial and advance MZE829 into a pivotal program targeting APOL1-mediated kidney disease.