Ozempic Reduces Kidney Disease Risk and Cardiac Deaths by 24% in Diabetics

Novo Nordisk has announced the successful results of the FLOW trial, indicating that its diabetes drug, Ozempic, significantly reduces the risk of kidney disease progression and cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease by 24%. This finding has the potential to reshape the treatment landscape for millions worldwide.

The Phase III FLOW trial presents a groundbreaking advancement for Ozempic (semaglutide), revealing its potential to go beyond its established use by showcasing its effectiveness in improving kidney and cardiometabolic health. The study highlights semaglutide's ability to significantly decrease the risk of kidney disease progression, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), and death by 24% when compared to a placebo.

The study, involving over 3,500 participants across 28 countries, represents a crucial development in healthcare for individuals with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD), who make up approximately 40% of the patient population. It offers new hope and expanded treatment possibilities.

Martin Holst Lange, Executive Vice President for Development at Novo Nordisk, expressed his enthusiasm about the findings, stating, "We are very excited about the results from FLOW showing that semaglutide 1.0 mg reduces the risk of kidney disease progression. Approximately 40% of people with type 2 diabetes have chronic kidney disease, so the positive results from FLOW demonstrate the potential for semaglutide to become the first GLP-1 treatment option for people living with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease.”

The FLOW trial not only achieved its primary endpoint but also demonstrated superiority in confirmatory secondary efficacy metrics, showcasing semaglutide's beneficial effects on various cardiovascular and CKD components.

The safety profile of semaglutide in the study aligned with previous findings, affirming its tolerability among participants. This comes as a reinforcement of Novo's commitment to advancing treatment solutions in the cardiometabolic space, a journey that began with the SELECT trial in August 2023. That trial showed a 2.4-mg dose of semaglutide could reduce the frequency of MACE by 20% in overweight and obese adults without diabetes.

With these promising results, Novo Nordisk plans to pursue a label expansion for Ozempic in the U.S. and EU in 2024, offering new hope for patients grappling with the dual challenges of type 2 diabetes and CKD. The detailed findings from FLOW will be presented at a scientific congress this year, further solidifying the drug's potential in enhancing patient care in this domain.

Ozempic, already recognized for its efficacy in improving glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes, alongside reducing the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in those with established cardiovascular disease, stands on the cusp of transforming the therapeutic landscape for patients with chronic kidney disease.