A series of major studies have shown that finerenone preserves kidney function, reduces cardiovascular risk, and improves survival in a much wider range of chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients than currently recommended. These benefits extend beyond diabetes to nondiabetic CKD and glomerular disease.
The results of this study were presented today at the European Society of Nephrology Conference in Glasgow, UK, and simultaneously published in three of the world’s leading medical journals. Lancet, New England Medical Journal and Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association – A rare achievement in clinical research.
Finerenone is a nonsteroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist currently approved for the treatment of CKD associated with type 2 diabetes. Overactivation of mineralocorticoid receptors causes inflammation and fibrosis in various forms of kidney disease, prompting researchers at the George Institute for Global Health to evaluate its potential in a broader population of CKD patients than currently indicated.
The FIND-CKD trial, led by Professor Hid Hairpink of the George Institute and Professor Vlad Perković of UNSW Sydney, evaluated finerenone in 1,584 people with non-diabetic CKD from 24 countries. Adding finerenone to standard treatment significantly slowed the decline in kidney function. The trial also showed that finerenone reduced the risk of kidney failure, CKD progression, heart failure, and cardiovascular death by 23%. These results are New England Medical Journal.
The second study was led by Associate Professor Brendon Noyen of the George Institute. Japan Automobile Manufacturers Associationthe FIND-CKD trial focused on a subset of patients with glomerular disease. Glomerular diseases are a group of diseases characterized by immune-mediated renal damage, for which there are few treatments available. In these patients, finerenone reduced the risk of kidney failure or CKD progression by 26% compared with placebo, and after 12 months it reduced albuminuria, or protein in the urine, by 42%, an important marker of kidney damage.
The third analysis, also led by Professor A/Noyen, lancet, Researchers pooled data from two previous phase III trials in diabetic CKD and FIND-CKD. In this study of 14,574 diabetic and non-diabetic CKD patients, finerenone reduced the risk of kidney failure or CKD progression by 24% compared to placebo. Finerenone also reduced the risk of hospitalization for heart failure or cardiovascular death by 20% and the risk of all-cause death by 12% compared with placebo. These effects were consistent regardless of diabetes status, underlying renal disease, and renal function.
Associate Professor Brendon Nguyen, Head of Global Clinical Trials at the George Institute, said the study results supported finerenone as a cornerstone therapy for CKD.
”Diabetes is the most common cause of chronic kidney disease worldwide, but most people living with CKD do not have diabetes and there are currently few effective treatment options. It is important to address this unmet need, as improving outcomes in non-diabetic CKD has the potential to significantly reduce the global burden of kidney disease.. ”
In all three studies, finerenone was generally well tolerated. Hyperkalemia (increased blood potassium levels) occurred more frequently with Finenone compared with placebo, but the rate of treatment discontinuation and hospitalization due to hyperkalemia was lower.
CKD affects approximately 1 in 10 people worldwide, or approximately 850 million people. Already a leading cause of death and disability, it is predicted to become the fifth leading cause of premature death by 2040. As CKD progresses to advanced stages, the risk of hospitalization, cardiovascular events, and death increases dramatically, highlighting the urgency for early and effective intervention.
A/Professor Neuen said:Taken together, these findings suggest that expanding the use of finerenone in patients with CKD may meaningfully reduce renal failure and cardiovascular complications in millions of people worldwide.. ”
sauce:
George Global Health Institute
Reference magazines:
Neuen, B.L. others. (2026). Efficacy and safety of finerenone in patients with chronic kidney disease: an individual participant data pool analysis (INFINITY). lancet. DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(26)01009-3. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(26)01009-3/abstract
