Seven months after Travere Therapeutics’ flagship drug received accelerated FDA approval in a rare kidney disease, the molecule has fallen short of the key goal of its confirmatory test. It’s the small molecule’s second Phase 3 failure this year.

Sparsentan failed to meet the main goal of a Phase 3 test in focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). Nevertheless, Travere Therapeutics says the totality of data points to patient improvement in the rare kidney disorder and the biotech will talk with regulators about a potential path forward.

Travere Therapeutics drug Filspari won accelerated FDA approval to treat a rare disorder that can lead to kidney failure. The small molecule is also in late-stage testing for another rare kidney disease; analysts say each indication represents a blockbuster opportunity.