Why participate?

Deciding to take part in a clinical research study is your decision. You can take as much time as you need to share the clinical research study information with family, friends, and your doctor before making a decision. If you qualify and participate, you may:

Get no-cost, investigational genetic testing to see if your chronic kidney disease is genetic

Get an investigational treatment, or a placebo, for chronic kidney disease

Have the possibility to receive compensation for study-related time and reimbursement for travel

Frequently asked questions

How can I apply? What is the investigational treatment? Does everyone in the study get the investigational treatment? Is there a cost to participate? What is APOL1 mediated kidney disease? Can I stop participating in the study?

If you are interested in participating in this study, click this link.

The investigational treatment, VX-147, is an oral medication that’s being researched to evaluate how it works and if it prevents and/or delays end stage chronic kidney disease in people with the APOL1 gene variations.

No, not everyone will get the investigational treatment. 1 out of 2 participants will get the investigational treatment.

No, there is no cost to participate. Compensation for study-related time and reimbursement for study-related travel expenses may be available.

  • APOL1-mediated kidney disease is caused by a substance in the body called the APOL1 protein.
  • We all have the APOL1 protein in our bodies; however, some people have differences in their DNA (the genetic material in our body that carries information about how our body works) that means they carry a modified type of APOL1 protein, known as a variant.
  • People with APOL1 variants are at a higher risk for chronic kidney disease, but it is still not known how the variants causes kidney disease.
  • Several thousand years ago, APOL1 variant genes evolved in people who lived in Western and Central Africa, to protect them from a parasitic disease known as African sleeping sickness.
  • This means that variants of APOL1 are more likely to occur in people of African descent, including people who identify as African American, Black, Caribbean, Sub-Saharan African, and Latino (Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, or South or Central American).


Yes, you can withdraw your participation at any time during the study.