Earlier last week, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Novo Nordisk to utilize their already successful semaglutide drug, Ozempic, to reduce the risk of kidney failure and kidney disease progression. Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist that mimics the action of naturally occurring GLP-1 to promote insulin secretion, slow gastric emptying, and increase the feeling of fullness. This marks a significant milestone for patients managing diabetes and kidney-related complications. The FDA approval will make semaglutide the most broadly indicated drug in its class, with its ability to assist chronic weight management and treat type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and chronic kidney disease.
The Link Between Kidney Disease and Diabetes
Kidney disease occurs when the kidneys of an individual are damaged to the point where they are unable to filter blood properly. This can then progress into chronic kidney disease and complications such as gout, weak bones, high blood pressure, and more. Chronic kidney disease is a common condition for individuals who are living with type 2 diabetes as high blood sugar levels can damage the tiny blood vessels inside the kidneys. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately a third of diabetic individuals have chronic kidney disease.
A New Lifeline for Kidney Disease
The clinical trial for semaglutide to treat chronic kidney disease was used to test the drugs capability to be used as a standard of care, rather than as a replacement. The trial was conducted by Novo Nordisk, the market leader in the GLP-1 agonist industry, and consisted of approximately 3,500 adults from 28 countries that were tracked on their usage and effects of semaglutide related to kidney disease. On average the participants were tracked for three and a half years. While this clinical trial started in 2019, it was stopped abruptly due to receiving positive results sooner than expected, with no new known drawbacks to the usage of the drug. During the phase 3 clinical trial it was found that the injections of semaglutide on a weekly basis can show several positive results related to chronic kidney disease:
Reduced the worsening of kidney disease by 24%
Decreases the risk of kidney failure by approximately 5% in adults
Lowers the risk of death from heart disease by approximately 5%
Effects on Ozempic in the Market
The approval of Ozempic as a treatment for kidney disease is expected to significantly boost the demand for the semaglutide drug as it enters this new market. This expansion will likely drive further growth in both the drug’s market size and revenue. However, Ozempic’s demand has already been high in recent years, because of its proven effectiveness in multiple areas. Ozempic will find further issues in being able to meet the demand that will rise due to this new approval. Novo Nordisk will likely require to further increase their production rate once again to assist Ozempic with its growing demand. Competitors of Novo Nordisk like Eli Lily and other emerging companies will experience increased competitive pressure as the market share starts to shift. They will likely require to increase research, development, and supply as well to continue competing for market share.
Conclusion
The FDA’s approval of Ozempic for chronic kidney disease represents a major advancement for both patients and the pharmaceutical industry. With its expansion into the kidney disease treatment market, Ozempic is now the most broadly prescribed drug in its class, offering new hope for individuals managing diabetes-related kidney complications. As demand rises due to its increasing range of benefits, Novo Nordisk will likely face further challenges in meeting supply needs. Despite potential availability concerns, the drug’s ability to improve outcomes for diabetes, heart disease, weight management, and now kidney disease reinforces its growing role in modern healthcare.
For more insights into the growing market for diabetes treatments, take a look at our U.S. Diabetes Monitoring, Treatment and Drug Delivery Market Report.
