The project, titled “A pre-clinical target validation and therapy studies pipeline for treating human Alport spectrum disease” (ALP-RARE), aims to accelerate the development of novel, disease-modifying therapies for Alport syndrome—a group of rare genetic kidney diseases with no approved treatments targeting the underlying cause.
 
“Being part of ALP-RARE underscores Guard’s commitment to advancing innovative therapeutics based on alpha-1-microglobulin for rare kidney diseases,” said Tobias Agervald, CEO of Guard Therapeutics. “By contributing our research and regulatory expertise, we aim to build a clear bridge between preclinical science and new future treatment opportunities for patients with Alport syndrome”.
 
About the ALP-RARE Project
Alport syndrome is caused by inherited mutations in the COL4A3, COL4A4, or COL4A5 genes, which encode the chains that form type IV collagen—an essential structural component of the kidney filtration barrier. Defects in this protein lead to progressive chronic kidney disease, often culminating in kidney failure requiring dialysis or transplantation.
The ALP-RARE project seeks to identify and validate therapeutic approaches that address disease mechanisms and slow or prevent kidney decline. The total project has been awarded a grant of up to €2.1 million, of which Guard will receive approximately €100,000 based on the current budget.
 
Guard’s Role in ALP-RARE
As part of the ALP-RARE consortium, Guard will primarily evaluate a GTX peptide (a peptide derived from alpha-1-microglobulin; A1M) in a preclinical model of Alport syndrome and contribute regulatory expertise to support the translational strategy, trial readiness, and alignment with future clinical and regulatory requirements.
 
International Consortium
ALP-RARE brings together leading academic institutions, clinicians, patient organizations, and industry expertise across Europe:

• Biobank.cy Center of Excellence, University of Cyprus (Cyprus)
• Karolinska Institutet (Sweden)
• Guard Therapeutics International AB (Sweden)
• University of Munich (Germany)
• Erasmus Medical Center (Netherlands)
• Meyer Children’s Hospital IRCCS (Italy)
• University Medical Center Göttingen (Germany)
• Alport Selbsthilfegruppe e.V. (Germany)
• European Kidney Patients Federation (EKPF) (Spain)

 
For more information about the ERDERA grant, visit https://erdera.org/call/joint-transnational-call-2025/
 
Guard’s participation in the ALP-RARE consortium does not change the company’s ongoing evaluation process regarding strategic alternatives, including the identification of possible counterparties for a merger or a reverse takeover.