FDA Approves Ozempic for Kidney Disease in Diabetes

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Novo Nordisk's drug Ozempic (semaglutide) for reducing the risk of worsening kidney disease, kidney failure, and cardiovascular death in adults with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD). This approval is based on the results from the phase 3b FLOW trial, which showed a 24% relative risk reduction in kidney and cardiovascular outcomes. Ozempic, initially approved for glycemic control and cardiovascular event risk reduction in type 2 diabetes patients, is now the first GLP-1 receptor agonist with this indication for CKD. The trial involved over 3,500 participants and demonstrated significant clinical benefits, leading to the FDA's decision to expand the drug's indications. With CKD affecting approximately 37 million adults in the U.S., this approval represents a significant advancement in treating a common complication of type 2 diabetes. The decision could change how healthcare providers manage these conditions, offering hope to millions of affected individuals.