Abstract: TH-PO0494
BRIDGE-GN: Development of an Integrated Real-World Clinical and Translational Research Ecosystem for Glomerular Diseases
Session Information
- Glomerular Diseases: Clinical, Outcomes, and Therapeutics Research - IgAN
October 22, 2026 | Location: Exhibit Hall A, Convention Center
Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Category: Glomerular Diseases
- 1402 Glomerular Diseases: Clinical, Outcomes, and Therapeutics
Authors
- Vasquez-Rios, George, Glomerular and Genetic Diseases Center, Renal Medicine Associates, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
- Rajasekaran, Arun, Glomerular and Genetic Diseases Center, Renal Medicine Associates, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
- Manns, Oni, Glomerular and Genetic Diseases Center, Renal Medicine Associates, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
- Hussain, Muzammil, Glomerular and Genetic Diseases Center, Renal Medicine Associates, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
- Kumar, Jayant, Glomerular and Genetic Diseases Center, Renal Medicine Associates, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
- Madan, Arvind, Glomerular Institute, Central Florida Kidney Specialists, Orlando, Florida, United States
- Coca, Steven G., Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Department of Medicine, New York, New York, United States
- Campbell, Kirk N., University of Pennsylvania Division of Renal Electrolyte and Hypertension, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
- Sanchez Russo, Luis F., Glomerular Institute, Central Florida Kidney Specialists, Orlando, Florida, United States
Background
Glomerular diseases (GN) remain highly heterogeneous disorders with major disparities in access to specialized care, clinical trials, and translational research, particularly among underserved populations.
Methods
BRIDGE-GN (Building Research and Innovation to Drive Excellence in Glomerular Nephropathy Care) was developed as a multicenter translational ecosystem integrating real-world registries, longitudinal outcomes, biobanking, biomarker profiling, genomics, pathology, and therapeutic analytics across GN populations within community-to-academic centers. The platform includes BRIDGE-IgAN, BRIDGE-GENETICS, COMBO-IGNITE, and BRIDGE-FIBROSIS. Standardized biospecimen workflows, centralized biobanking infrastructure, dedicated MOPs, and assay pipelines for serum, plasma, urine, and molecular profiling were operationalized in collaboration with Mount Sinai.
Results
Major milestones achieved include umbrella protocol approval through Advarra IRB, expansion of DUAs, and clinical site agreements with Mount Sinai (central laboratory), University of Pennsylvania, and Central Florida Kidney Specialists. BRIDGE-IgAN has included >160 patients with ongoing multicenter expansion across ten community/academic centers. Approximately 30 IgAN patients currently have commercially available next-generation sequencing integrated within BRIDGE-GENETICS. The MOSAIC-IgAN, prospective biomarker initiative, has initiated enrollment in New Mexico in May 2026, with successful data and biospecimen collection for 3 patients under standardized protocols. BRIDGE-GN incorporates longitudinal eGFR and proteinuria trajectories, biomarker discovery, AI-assisted pathology quantification, fibrosis analyses, and molecular phenotyping strategies accordingly. Initial Phase I funding (2026-2028) was secured to support platform generation, biospecimen collection, translational assays, and precision nephrology initiatives.
Conclusion
BRIDGE-GN establishes a scalable community-to-academic translational ecosystem designed to advance precision medicine in GN through integrated real-world data, molecular phenotyping, genomics, and digital pathology among populations that have traditionally not been represented in research. This is the first framework developed within a community setting, and might help accelerate biomarker discovery, therapeutic stratification, and equitable participation in GN research.
Funding
- Commercial Support – Natera, Calliditas Therapeutics, Pharmaceutical