Study Reveals Ozempic’s Significant Impact on Slowing Kidney Disease Progression and Reducing Mortality Risk in Diabetes Patients
Recent research published in the New England Journal of Medicine demonstrates that Novo Nordisk’s diabetes medication, Ozempic, effectively reduces the risk of kidney failure and death in individuals suffering from Type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease. Presented at a European Renal Association conference in Stockholm, the study, sponsored by Novo Nordisk, highlights a 24% lower risk of severe kidney outcomes and death from cardiovascular or kidney-related causes among patients treated with Ozempic compared to those on placebo. Additionally, Ozempic users exhibited a slower decline in kidney function and an 18% decreased risk of major cardiovascular events, including heart attacks.
Professor Vlado Perkovic, co-author of the study from the University of New South Wales, Sydney, emphasized the profound clinical implications of these findings, stating that they offer significant benefits for patients with Type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease. This comprehensive research supplements the initial top-line results released in March, providing detailed insights into the efficacy of Ozempic.
Chronic kidney disease, a condition associated with elevated risks of heart disease, stroke, and other health complications, affects a considerable portion of the U.S. population, with more than 35 million adults afflicted, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While existing treatments for kidney disease aim to safeguard kidney function and mitigate cardiovascular risks, many patients experience continued deterioration, underscoring the potential for GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic to enhance treatment options.
The study’s comprehensive data showcasing improvements in both cardiovascular and kidney outcomes advocate for the expansion of Ozempic’s label to encompass this patient demographic, as noted by BMO Capital Markets analyst Evan David Seigerman. These findings also underscore the broader utility of GLP-1 medications in mitigating the risks associated with chronic kidney disease.
This research contributes to Novo Nordisk’s growing body of evidence highlighting the multifaceted benefits of semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, an obesity treatment. Semaglutide has demonstrated efficacy in reducing the risk of cardiovascular events and alleviating heart failure symptoms, extending its therapeutic impact beyond diabetes management and weight loss.
Meanwhile, Eli Lilly & Co. is exploring whether tirzepatide, the active ingredient in its medications Mounjaro and Zepbound, can combat chronic kidney disease in individuals with obesity, with or without Type 2 diabetes.
In response to the study, Novo Nordisk’s American depositary receipts saw a marginal decline of 0.5% premarket, while shares of dialysis-related companies, including Fresenius Medical Care AG and DaVita Inc., experienced notable gains, reflecting investor optimism regarding the potential impact of Ozempic on kidney disease management.
