Positive data on Kerendia in chronic kidney disease and type 2 diabetes

Late-breaking data presented today at the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2022 highlight the potential of German pharm major Bayer’s (BAYN: DE) Kerendia (finerenone), compared to placebo, to significantly reduce the incidence of sudden cardiac death across a broad range of patients with early to late-stage chronic kidney disease (CKD) and type 2 diabetes (T2D).

While in the overall population of FIDELITY the effect of finerenone on all-cause and CV mortality narrowly missed statistical significance, new data from a prespecified exploratory on-treatment analysis from FIDELITY indicate that both of these outcomes were reduced with finerenone versus placebo in this population. The positive effect of finerenone on all mortality outcomes was consistent across a broad range of patients with early to late-stage chronic kidney disease and type 2 diabetes, regardless of baseline eGFR or UACR values, and appeared to be more pronounced in patients with a higher baseline eGFR. CV mortality was the most common cause of mortality in the study.

“Despite optimized blood glucose and blood pressure control, many patients with chronic kidney disease and type 2 diabetes continue to progress to kidney failure and are at a significantly increased risk of cardiovascular death,” said Dr Christian Rommel, a member of the executive committee of Bayer AG's Pharmaceutical Division and head of R&D, adding; “The exploratory analysis presented demonstrates the potential of finerenone to reduce the risk of mortality amongst this vulnerable patient population, and keep them healthier for longer.”

Bayer’s shares were down 4.6% at 51.22 by late afternoon trading following the announcement.