Novo Nordisk’s GLP-1 drug semaglutide has scored another big win, significantly reducing the risk of death in diabetics with chronic kidney disease in a major Phase 3 clinical trial.
The FLOW trial studied the effects of semaglutide (branded as Ozempic for diabetes) in around 3,700 patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease. Patients receiving semaglutide saw a 32% lower risk of being hospitalized for worsening kidney disease, end-stage kidney disease, or death from kidney or cardiovascular causes.
Crucially, semaglutide cut the overall risk of death by 28% compared to placebo in this high-risk patient population. Diabetic kidney disease affects around 40% of diabetics and increases the risk of needing dialysis or kidney transplants.
The impressive results set the stage for Novo Nordisk to file for expanded approval of semaglutide to reduce major adverse cardiovascular events and progression of kidney disease in type 2 diabetes patients. It could give semaglutide an edge over competing GLP-1 diabetes drugs.
Analysts project the FLOW data could drive billions more in annual sales for the blockbuster medication, which is also being studied for obesity treatment. Semaglutide sales surged to over $6 billion in 2022 just for its diabetes indication.
The positive results continue to validate Novo Nordisk’s leadership in GLP-1 based diabetic and obesity therapies, one of the pharmaceutical industry’s hottest areas of drug development.
