DaVita issues statement on GLP-1 and implications on chronic kidney disease

DaVita (DVA) issued a statement in response to news this week from Novo Nordisk (NVO), manufacturer of Ozempic, a GLP-1 receptor agonist indicated for type 2 diabetes, related to its FLOW study that sought to demonstrate that Ozempic delays progression of chronic kidney disease and lowers the risk of kidney and cardiovascular mortality. “We’ve been closely monitoring the developments related to GLP-1s, and are excited about the potential benefits this class of drugs could have on society and patients with kidney disease…and whether the results demonstrate improvements over the known effects of SGLT2 inhibitors on kidney disease or the previously announced effects of GLP-1s on cardiovascular mortality…we believe there may be limited application of the FLOW study findings to the overall CKD patient population. We will continue monitoring closely as further evidence becomes available to identify the potential benefit of GLP-1s to those afflicted with kidney disease.” Da Vita’s understanding of the FLOW clinical trial is that it is unknown which endpoint(s) was positive so as to close the study and whether it was a cardiovascular endpoint, a kidney endpoint, or both. Once released, the detailed results of the FLOW trial will identify which endpoint was proven. If it confirms prior evidence that GLP-1s reduce cardiovascular mortality, any similar findings in the FLOW study would be an additional positive in prolonging life through CKD progression for those taking the therapy. Future trials and research will be required to determine whether any findings derived from the FLOW study could benefit a CKD population beyond those studied in the trial. Novo Nordisk announced that the FLOW study will be released in the first half of 2024 and the SELECT study will be released on or around November 11, 2023.