Bayer announced that its drug KERENDIA (finerenone) met the primary endpoint in a Phase III trial for adults with non-diabetic chronic kidney disease. The FIND-CKD study showed the medication significantly reduced the rate of kidney disease progression compared to placebo.

The trial involved 1,584 adults with non-diabetic chronic kidney disease, including conditions such as hypertension and chronic glomerulonephritis. Participants received either KERENDIA or placebo alongside standard care treatments.

KERENDIA demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) slope, a measure of kidney function decline. The mean annual rate of eGFR decline was -3.3 mL/min/1.73 m²/year with KERENDIA versus -4.0 mL/min/1.73 m²/year with placebo, representing a difference of 0.7 mL/min/1.73 m²/year.

The drug also showed a statistically significant reduction in risk of a composite kidney-cardiovascular outcome, which included kidney failure, sustained eGFR decrease of 57% or more, hospitalization for heart failure, or cardiovascular death, with a hazard ratio of 0.77 compared to placebo.

Safety data showed similar rates of serious adverse events between KERENDIA (20.9%) and placebo (21.2%) groups. Hyperkalemia occurred more frequently with KERENDIA at 17% compared to 13.3% with placebo, though serious hyperkalemia events remained low in both groups.

The results were presented at the European Renal Association Congress and published simultaneously in the New England Journal of Medicine. KERENDIA is currently approved by the FDA for chronic kidney disease associated with type 2 diabetes and heart failure with left ventricular ejection fraction of 40% or higher.

This represents the fifth consecutive Phase III trial where KERENDIA met its primary endpoint, according to the press release statement.