The FDA has approved Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic for use in treating both chronic kidney disease and diabetes, expanding its popularity as a go-to treatment. This injection now helps reduce the risk of kidney damage, heart issues, and death from cardiovascular problems in patients with both conditions. The approval comes as around 37 million adults in the U.S. live with chronic kidney disease, with diabetes being a major contributing factor for its progression. Novo Nordisk highlighted that targeting these co-morbidities together could significantly improve patient outcomes.
The drug has shown remarkable benefits in a clinical trial: it reduced the risk of severe kidney outcomes by 24% compared to a placebo and cut the risk of cardiovascular-related deaths by 29%. The rate of serious side effects was lower among Ozempic patients than those who received the competitor, though there were slightly more discontinuations due to gastrointestinal issues.
Novo Nordisk also noted that while the approval focuses on these two conditions, their expertise extends to other diabetes treatments like Wegovy and potential uses in fatty liver disease. This expansion underscores Novo’s commitment to addressing multiple health challenges with a single injection.
The decision by the FDA comes after Novo won Medicare drug price negotiations for semaglutide, further cementing its position as a leading treatment option. Meanwhile, Eli Lilly is increasingly competing for expanded coverage of Wegovy, which also targets cardiovascular risks alongside diabetes.
Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/01/28/novo-nordisks-ozempic-wins-fda-approval-for-chronic-kidney-disease.html