Bayer's Kerendia Shows Promise in Type 2 Diabetes Kidney Disease Trial
Bayer's drug Kerendia (active ingredient Finerenon), a non-steroidal, selective mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA), has shown promising results in treating chronic kidney disease (CKD) associated with type 2 diabetes. The FIDELIO-DKD study, led by Bayer, demonstrated significant risk reductions in various end points.
The FIDELIO-DKD study, involving over 5,700 patients worldwide, revealed that Kerendia could significantly lower the risk of a sustained decline in kidney function, progression to end-stage kidney disease, cardiovascular death, non-fatal heart attack, and hospitalization for heart failure compared to a placebo. However, its effect on anemia was not a primary or key secondary endpoint.
CKD is a progressive and irreversible loss of kidney function, affecting essential bodily functions such as mineral balance, red blood cell production, and waste elimination. It often has no symptoms until the late stages, when swelling, fatigue, shortness of breath, weight loss, nausea, and decreased urine output may occur. The most common causes are high blood pressure and diabetes, with other causes including autoimmune diseases, polycystic kidney disease, and glomerulonephritis. Treatment focuses on managing underlying diseases, preventing complications, and slowing progression through diet changes, lifestyle modifications, supplements, medication, dialysis, and kidney transplant.
The FIDELIO-DKD study, led by Bayer, has shown that Kerendia (Finerenon) can significantly reduce the risk of various end points in patients with CKD associated with type 2 diabetes. This innovative therapy is now available to slow kidney function loss and lower cardiovascular risks in these high-risk patients.
