Ozempic Reduces Kidney Disease Progression, Cardiovascular Events by 24%
The FLOW trial was stopped early based on an interim analysis that found the study met the criteria for efficacy.
In patients with type 2 diabetes and kidney disease, Ozempic (semaglutide) reduced kidney disease progression, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and death by 24%, according to topline results from the FLOW trial. The trial was stopped early on the recommendation from an independent data monitoring committee because an interim analysis found the study met the criteria for efficacy.
In the trial, which enrolled 3,533 people with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease, patients were randomized to receive Ozempic 1.0 mg with placebo or placebo, along with standard of care for kidney disease.
Secondary endpoints — including annual rate of change in eGFR1 and non-fatal myocardial infarction, non-fatal stroke, cardiovascular death — also confirmed the positive impact on slowing kidney disease and cardiovascular events.
Ozempic, which was developed by Novo Nordisk, is available in 0.5 mg, 1.0 mg and 2.0 mg doses. It is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) inhibitor, a class of drugs that work in pancreas to enhance insulin release. The list price for Ozempic 1.0 mg is $935.77 for one pen.
A higher dose of semaglutide is also marketed as Wegovy with a weight loss indication. Wegovy has a list price of $1,349.02 per package, which is a 28-day supply.
Martin Holst Lange
“Approximately 40% of people with type 2 diabetes have chronic kidney disease, so the positive results from FLOW demonstrate the potential for semaglutide to become the first GLP-1 treatment option for people living with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease,” Martin Holst Lange, executive vice president for Development at Novo Nordisk, said in a press release.
Company officials said that full results will be presented at a conference this year.
This follows the results of a separate trial, SELECT, announced last year. In that trial, the semaglutide product Wegovy 2.4 mg reduced the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events by 20% in adults who were overweight who had obesity. The trial enrolled 17,604 adults aged 45 years or older with obesity and established cardiovascular disease with no prior history of diabetes. These results were released at the American Heart Association Scientific Session meeting in November 2023.
Novo Nordisk has filed for a label update of Wegovy in both the United States and the Europea Union based on the SELECT study findings, and a decision is expected in 2024
Conversations With Perry and Friends
April 14th 2025Perry Cohen, Pharm.D., a longtime member of the Managed Healthcare Executive editorial advisory board, is host of the Conversations with Perry and Friends podcast. His guest this episode is John Baackes, the former CEO of L.A. Care Health Plan.
Listen
Medicaid Expansion Linked To Timelier Lung Cancer Surgery and Access to High-Volume Hospitals
April 17th 2025New research shows that Medicaid expansion was linked to a 2.1% increase in timely lung cancer surgeries and a 2.8% rise in procedures at high-volume hospitals, highlighting how policy changes can impact cancer care access.
Read More
Breaking Down Health Plans, HSAs, AI With Paul Fronstin of EBRI
November 19th 2024Featured in this latest episode of Tuning In to the C-Suite podcast is Paul Fronstin, director of health benefits research at EBRI, who shed light on the evolving landscape of health benefits with editors of Managed Healthcare Executive.
Listen
Updated: UnitedHealth Group’s First Quarter Revenue Increases, But Company Revises Outlook
Published: April 17th 2025 | Updated: April 17th 2025The insurer’s healthcare expenses, especially physician and outpatient services, within the Medicare Advantage businesses were above what company leaders had expected.
Read More
