BHV-1420
An investigational treatment for Membranous Nephropathy.
The same compound appears under different names depending on the context. Here is how to identify BHV-1420 wherever you encounter it, plus the key facts at a glance.
- Generic name
- BHV-1420
- Development codes
- BHV-1420, BHV1420
- Drug class
- Targeted autoantibody degrader (TRAP subtype of MoDE)
- Manufacturer
- Biohaven
- How it's taken
- Expected to be delivered as a subcutaneous (under-the-skin) injection, consistent with Biohaven's other MoDE/TRAP programs.
An investigational subcutaneous autoantibody degrader from Biohaven designed to selectively remove anti-PLA2R (M-type phospholipase A2 receptor) IgG antibodies — the driver of most cases of primary membranous nephropathy, a rare autoimmune kidney disease. BHV-1420 is in preclinical development as of early 2026 and is part of Biohaven's targeted TRAP autoantibody-degrader portfolio[1].
How BHV-1420 works
Membranous nephropathy is a kidney disease in which the immune system makes an antibody that attacks a protein called PLA2R on the outside of kidney filter cells (podocytes). When the antibody sticks to PLA2R, it forms immune complexes in the kidney's filter, which thickens the filter membrane and lets protein leak into the urine.
Over time this can lead to heavy swelling, high cholesterol, blood clots, and in some patients, kidney failure[3]. BHV-1420 is designed to remove the anti-PLA2R antibody specifically.
Using Biohaven's TRAP technology — the same targeted-degrader idea used for BHV-1600 in PPCM — one end of the molecule binds anti-PLA2R IgG and the other end attaches to a receptor on the liver. The liver then pulls the antibody in and breaks it down, leaving the rest of the immune system largely intact[1].
Mechanism: TRAP (Targeted Removal of Aberrant Proteins) degrader that selectively removes anti-PLA2R autoantibodies implicated in primary membranous nephropathy
Side effects and safety
No human safety data has been publicly disclosed for BHV-1420 because the program is still preclinical. Based on the platform, expected clinical side effects once trials begin include injection-site reactions and mild transient lab changes. Because the degrader is selective for anti-PLA2R IgG rather than all IgG, the infection-risk profile should be more favorable than broad immunosuppression.
This is not a complete list of side effects. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about what to expect and when to seek medical attention.
Taking BHV-1420
Expected to be delivered as a subcutaneous (under-the-skin) injection, consistent with Biohaven's other MoDE/TRAP programs. Dose and frequency will be established in first-in-human studies.
Clinical trial results
As of early 2026, BHV-1420 is in preclinical/IND-enabling development. No clinical trials have been posted on ClinicalTrials.gov yet. Biohaven's public pipeline lists BHV-1420 as a targeted autoantibody degrader for anti-PLA2R-mediated membranous nephropathy[1].
Development history
Membranous nephropathy was a natural next TRAP indication for Biohaven: anti-PLA2R antibody levels track closely with disease activity, treatment response, and relapse risk, giving a clean biomarker for developing a selective degrader. The program builds on Biohaven's existing MoDE/TRAP chemistry and the validation provided by earlier-stage programs like BHV-1400 (Gd-IgA1) and BHV-1600 (β1-AR)[1][2].
Explore Membranous Nephropathy trials
Common questions about BHV-1420
▸What is BHV-1420?
An investigational subcutaneous autoantibody degrader from Biohaven designed to selectively remove anti-PLA2R (M-type phospholipase A2 receptor) IgG antibodies — the driver of most cases of primary membranous nephropathy, a rare autoimmune kidney disease. BHV-1420 is in preclinical development as of early 2026 and is part of Biohaven's targeted TRAP autoantibody-degrader portfolio[1].
▸How does BHV-1420 work?
Membranous nephropathy is a kidney disease in which the immune system makes an antibody that attacks a protein called PLA2R on the outside of kidney filter cells (podocytes). When the antibody sticks to PLA2R, it forms immune complexes in the kidney's filter, which thickens the filter membrane and lets protein leak into the urine.
Over time this can lead to heavy swelling, high cholesterol, blood clots, and in some patients, kidney failure[3]. BHV-1420 is designed to remove the anti-PLA2R antibody specifically.
Using Biohaven's TRAP technology — the same targeted-degrader idea used for BHV-1600 in PPCM — one end of the molecule binds anti-PLA2R IgG and the other end attaches to a receptor on the liver. The liver then pulls the antibody in and breaks it down, leaving the rest of the immune system largely intact[1].
▸What are the side effects of BHV-1420?
No human safety data has been publicly disclosed for BHV-1420 because the program is still preclinical. Based on the platform, expected clinical side effects once trials begin include injection-site reactions and mild transient lab changes. Because the degrader is selective for anti-PLA2R IgG rather than all IgG, the infection-risk profile should be more favorable than broad immunosuppression.
▸How is BHV-1420 taken?
Expected to be delivered as a subcutaneous (under-the-skin) injection, consistent with Biohaven's other MoDE/TRAP programs. Dose and frequency will be established in first-in-human studies.
▸Is BHV-1420 FDA approved?
BHV-1420 is currently in preclinical clinical trials for Membranous Nephropathy. It has not yet received FDA approval.
▸When would BHV-1420 reach patients?
BHV-1420 is in preclinical / IND-enabling development as of early 2026. First-in-human studies typically take 12-24 months from that stage, with Phase 2 readouts several years later. Patients with membranous nephropathy today should discuss rituximab, cyclophosphamide-steroid regimens, or trials of next-generation B-cell-depleting antibodies with their nephrologist[3].
▸How will we know if BHV-1420 is working in trials?
Anti-PLA2R antibody levels are a well-validated biomarker in membranous nephropathy — they correlate with disease activity, treatment response, and relapse risk. Early trials will almost certainly look at how quickly and how deeply anti-PLA2R titers fall after dosing, followed by reductions in proteinuria and stabilization or improvement in eGFR[3].
▸Why not just use rituximab?
Rituximab is the current first-line biologic for anti-PLA2R-positive membranous nephropathy and works well for many patients, but it takes weeks to lower circulating antibodies, depletes B cells for months, and doesn't help everyone. A selective degrader like BHV-1420 could remove anti-PLA2R antibodies from the bloodstream directly and quickly, without depleting B cells — potentially useful as an alternative for rituximab non-responders or as a faster-acting option before the B-cell-depletion approach has had time to work[3].
▸Is membranous nephropathy rare?
Primary membranous nephropathy is uncommon — about 12 new cases per million people per year in the U.S. — but it is the most common cause of non-diabetic nephrotic syndrome in White adults. Roughly 70-80% of primary cases are anti-PLA2R-positive, which is the population BHV-1420 is aimed at[3].
Sources and references
Every factual claim on this page is drawn from the public sources listed below. Click any reference to open the original document.
- Biohaven · 2025. Biohaven Pipeline — BHV-1420 Membranous Nephropathy Program. https://www.biohaven.com/pipeline/
- Yale Office of Cooperative Research · 2022. Biohaven Licenses Yale's MoDE Extracellular Protein Degradation Platform. https://ir.biohaven.com/news-releases/news-release-details/biohaven-advances-development-mode-platform-technology-licensed
- NephCure Kidney International. Membranous Nephropathy: Patient Overview. https://nephcure.org/membranous-nephropathy/