Sparsentan tagged an Orphan Drug for rare nephropathy

• The FDA grants Orphan Drug status to Retrophin's (RTRX -2.3%) sparsentan for the treatment of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). The investigational therapeutic candidate is a selective endothelin receptor antagonist and an angiotensin receptor blocker.
• Retrophin licensed the product from Ligand Pharmaceuticals (LGND -1.6%) in 2012.
• Among the benefits of Orphan Drug status is a seven-year period of market exclusivity if approved.