Novo Nordisk A/S’s (NYSE:NVO) renowned diabetes medication Ozempic demonstrated a significant reduction in the risk of mortality in a kidney disease study, underscoring the drug’s potential efficacy across various medical conditions.
In a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, researchers revealed that patients suffering from kidney disease induced by diabetes experienced a one-fifth decrease in the likelihood of death from any cause when treated with Ozempic compared to a placebo. Novo terminated the trial prematurely last year after an initial analysis demonstrated the substantial benefits of the drug, leading to a $3.6 billion decline in the shares of kidney dialysis providers Fresenius Medical Care AG (FMS) and DaVita Inc. (DVA).
These findings contribute to the growing evidence supporting the effectiveness of Novo’s semaglutide, marketed as Ozempic for diabetes and Wegovy for weight loss, in addressing a spectrum of interconnected conditions associated with obesity. Nephrologist Brendon Neuen, director of kidney trials at the Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney, remarked that the results are likely to revolutionize the treatment approach for kidney disease.
The study underscores the intricate relationship between kidney disease, cardiovascular ailments, and diabetes, emphasizing the dire consequences of this amalgamation. Nephrologist Vlado Perkovic, provost at the University of New South Wales in Sydney and a lead researcher of the study, hailed the findings as offering hope, as semaglutide demonstrates improvements across these conditions and extends patients’ lives.
Ozempic was found to reduce the risk of various adverse health outcomes associated with kidney and heart disease by 24%, as disclosed by the Danish pharmaceutical company in March. Despite initial fluctuations in the shares of dialysis providers following the trial’s halt, the broad benefits of the drug have instilled optimism in investors and medical professionals alike.
Martin Holst Lange, Novo’s development chief, highlighted the significance of Ozempic’s ability to complement existing treatments for diabetes, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia, noting a consistent 24% risk reduction across kidney-specific and cardiovascular outcomes.
The study’s results, presented at the ERA Congress in Stockholm, affirm Ozempic’s potential to assist patients already receiving adequate treatment for their diabetes-related conditions. The drug’s versatility in addressing a wide range of disorders, from heart disease to osteoarthritis, underscores Novo’s commitment to delivering value to patients and insurers.
The study’s findings shed light on the cardio-kidney-metabolic syndrome, a cluster of disorders influenced by obesity, which significantly contributes to morbidity and mortality in the United States. The prevalence of risk factors for this syndrome underscores the urgent need for effective treatments, particularly as the incidence of chronic kidney disease related to type-2 diabetes continues to rise.
Featured Image: Freepik
Author Faith Yakubu 
