Health
Ozempic drug Semaglutide can protect the kidneys, research shows
Topline
Novo Nordisk’s weight-loss injection semaglutide — the ingredient in the wildly popular drugs Ozempic and Wegovy — could also help protect the kidneys, according to new research, a finding that strengthens the growing public health case for the drug amid ongoing concerns about its cost and shortages of supplies.
Semaglutide could help with kidney disease, researchers say.
Key facts
The findings come from an analysis of data from the yearlong Select study with semaglutide.
Select, which is funded by Novo, is Wegovy’s longest clinical trial and includes a pool of 17,604 overweight or obese adult participants over the age of 45 from 41 countries.
There were 22% fewer people with kidney-related problems among the nearly 9,000-strong cohort given weekly semaglutide injections, compared with the group given a placebo, the researchers found, a relative incidence of 1.8% and 2.2 respectively %.
The researchers took into account a variety of kidney problems, including death from renal causes, significant decline in kidney function, initiation of chronic renal replacement therapy, and the onset or persistence of macroalbuminuria (high levels of the protein albumin in the urine).
Semaglutide’s ability to address this latter condition, the onset of macroalbuminuria, is likely a key factor in reducing the risk of kidney-related complications, the researchers said.
Patients taking semaglutide also showed significantly less decline in a key measure of kidney function, estimated glomerular filtration rate, which was especially pronounced in those with low baseline values indicative of impairment, the researchers said, suggesting the drug might benefit people with pre -can help protect against diabetes. existing kidney disorders.
Receive text alerts from Forbes Breaking News: We’re launching text alerts so you’re always up to date on the top stories making up the day’s headlines. Text “Alerts” to (201) 335-0739 or Log In here.
Tangent
Kidney damage has been reported as a possible side effect of semaglutide use and it is indicated as a potential risk on the Food and Drug Administration label for the drug. However, in this latest study, researchers said they found no increased risk of acute kidney injury due to semaglutide treatment. This was true regardless of baseline kidney function, the researchers added.
News Peg
Novo Nordisk ended a separate kidney disease study last year earlier than initially expected due to the positive results. The study, called FLOW, found a 24% decrease in kidney disease-related events in patients taking semaglutide compared to placebo. Both obesity and diabetes contribute to kidney damage and the success of weight loss medications, as well as early data pointing to broader benefits for the kidneys. dented shares in dialysis companies.
Important background
The results add to a growing body of evidence suggesting that the health benefits of popular weight loss injections extend far beyond obesity, a condition known to have a far-reaching impact on the body and mind. In addition to obesity and diabetes, the conditions were initially treated with GLP-1 drugs such as semaglutide, but Wegovy now lists cardiovascular benefits on the label. Numerous other conditions are also being investigated, including sleep apnea, addiction, anxiety, Parkinson’s and fatty liver disease. Data market leaders Novo and Eli Lilly – which produce tirzepatide, marketed as Mounjaro and Zepbound – which can generate under other conditions are crucial in helping them maintain a competitive edge as they race to get their first products on to market and strengthen the public health case for the authorities who are withholding funding for the drugs.
Read further
