A new multinational clinical trial will investigate whether a novel treatment can help slow the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). The first participants have been recruited.
The EASi-KIDNEYTM trial will evaluate whether vicadrostat, also known as BI 690517, improves clinical outcomes in a large group of people living with CKD when it is given in combination with existing treatments.
The trial will run in 15-20 countries around the world, with around 11,000 people expected to participate. The first participants have been recruited in Oxford, UK.
Patrick Wallace, who joined the trial at Oxford Kidney Unit, part of Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said ‘I wanted to participate in the trial as I am conscious of the vital importance of clinical trials in improving our knowledge of conditions such as chronic kidney disease. It is important to me to contribute towards providing robust evidence for new treatments even if vicadrostat (BI 690517) won't be available to people outside the trial for several years.’
CKD is often a progressive condition that can lead to the need for kidney dialysis or a transplant and increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. It affects about 1 in 10 adults worldwide and is a leading cause of death globally.
The EMPA-KIDNEY trial, led by researchers at Oxford Population Health, demonstrated that empagliflozin reduces the risk of kidney disease progression or death from cardiovascular disease by 28% in patients with CKD with and without diabetes. Empagliflozin is now recommended as a foundational treatment for CKD in many countries. However, there are many people with CKD who, despite the availability of CKD treatments, still experience worsening disease and an increased risk of heart problems.
Read the full story on the Nuffield Department of Population Health website.