Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global public health challenge, affecting over 850 million people—more than diabetes and cancer combined1. Yet despite its prevalence and devastating impact, drug development in nephrology has historically lagged behind other therapeutic areas. Much of this can likely be attributed, to one major obstacle - a limited understanding of the genetic factors driving disease progression and variability in patient response.
As precision medicine reshapes the future of healthcare, nephrology is beginning to harness the power of genetics. Research shows that in adults, monogenic disorders may account for up to 20% of chronic kidney disease (CKD) cases, while in children, they may explain up to 50% of cases2. For pediatric cases and adults with early-onset symptoms, the genetic contribution can be even higher2. Identifying these genetic factors is critical—not only to improve diagnosis and prognosis, but also to enable smarter, more targeted drug development.
That’s where Natera’s RenasightIQ is making a transformative impact.
RenasightIQ is built from Natera’s exome-based kidney gene panel test, Renasight™. It represents one of the most comprehensive and diverse clinicogenomic datasets of its kind in the U.S. Designed specifically to support pharmaceutical and biotech research, RenasightIQ contains genetic and clinical data from patients with kidney conditions and related comorbidities3. In addition, it includes longitudinal data sourced from third parties, such as insurance claims, prescription records, and other medical information. This integration provides a more complete picture of each patient’s journey with kidney disease—enabling insights into disease progression, treatment patterns, and real-world outcomes. With detailed patient data and analysis of 397 kidney-related genes, RenasightIQ provides a unique opportunity for discovery and innovation.
Why does this matter for drug development?
In many therapeutic areas, genetic data has become a cornerstone of precision research. In oncology and rare diseases, for instance, it has enabled more efficient trial design, better patient cohorting, and increased approval rates for therapies4. Nephrology is now at a similar inflection point.
By integrating genetic insights, pharmaceutical researchers can:
- Identify genetically defined subpopulations who may benefit from specific treatments or have a distinct disease mechanism5.
- Discover novel targets by analyzing pathogenic variants and genotype-phenotype relationships6.
- Improve trial efficiency by focusing on more homogeneous patient groups, reducing noise and enhancing signal detection7.
- Address health disparities by evaluating variant prevalence and penetrance across ancestries, aiding in more inclusive research8.
Moreover, RenasightIQ supports retrospective analysis, cohort building, and trial feasibility assessments. It also enables the identification of patients eligible for genotype-guided therapy development or biomarker validation.
Partnering for precision
Beyond the database itself, Natera’s scientific and medical teams partner directly with pharma and biotech companies to design custom data queries, guide interpretation, and facilitate the use of insights throughout the development lifecycle. Whether conducting early-stage discovery or preparing for clinical trials, RenasightIQ’s depth, quality, and utility will serve as a robust strategic asset.
As regulators and payers increasingly demand evidence of therapeutic precision, access to real-world, clinically validated genetic data has become a competitive advantage. For organizations developing the next generation of kidney disease therapies, leveraging genetics isn’t just an option—it’s a necessity.
The path forward
The future of kidney care will be defined by unlocking precise profiling of disease. With the rise of gene therapies, RNA-based drugs, and targeted biologics, understanding the molecular underpinnings of CKD and related disorders is more important than ever.
Natera’s RenasightIQ is a key to unlock this future, enabling researchers to see beyond symptoms and pathology—to the genetic drivers at the root of disease. In doing so, it accelerates the development of therapies that are more effective, more personalized, and more inclusive.
Unlock the power of genetic data in kidney disease research. Discover how RenasightIQ can advance your pipeline.
Footnotes
1 Jager, K. J., et al. (2019). A single number for advocacy and communication—worldwide more than 850 million individuals have kidney diseases. Kidney International, 96(5), 1048–1050. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.kint.2019.07.012
2 Vivante A. Genetics of Chronic Kidney Disease. N Engl J Med. 2024 Aug 15;391(7):627-639. doi: 10.1056/NEJMra2308577. PMID: 39141855
3 Natera. (2023). Renasight® for pharma and research. https://www.natera.com/organ-health/renasight-genetic-testing/pharma-research/
4 U.S. FDA. (2022). Drug Trials Snapshots Summary Report. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-approvals-and-databases/drug-trials-snapshots
5 Connaughton, D. M., et al. (2019). Monogenic causes of CKD in adults. Kidney International Reports, 4(6), 757–773. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ekir.2019.03.007
6 Lata, S., et al. (2018). Whole-exome sequencing in adults with chronic kidney disease: a pilot study. Annals of Internal Medicine, 168(2), 100–109. https://doi.org/10.7326/M17-1319
7 Manolio, T. A., et al. (2017). Implementing genomic medicine in the clinic: the future is now. Genetics in Medicine, 19(7), 767–774. https://doi.org/10.1038/gim.2017.37
8 Landry, L. G., et al. (2018). Lack of diversity in genomic databases is a barrier to translating precision medicine research into practice. Health Affairs, 37(5), 780–785. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2017.1595
Renasight™ has been developed and its performance characteristics determined by the CLIA-certified laboratory performing the test. The test has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). CAP accredited, ISO 13485 certified, and CLIA certified. © 2025 Natera, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
