KERENDIA® – A New Treatment for Chronic Kidney Disease Associated with Diabetes

Drug Review: Volume 23, Issue 2 (PDF)

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is the gradual and irreversible loss of kidney function over several months to years. The leading cause of CKD is Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). Patients with both CKD and T2DM have an increased risk for heart-related complications, kidney failure, and death compared to patients with diabetes alone. It is estimated that CKD costs the Canadian healthcare system $40 billion each year.

For diabetic patients with CKD, the main goal of treatment is to reduce the progression of kidney damage by optimizing blood sugar and blood pressure levels. Along with lifestyle modifications, clinical guidelines recommend treatment with an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEi) or angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) to reduce blood pressure. For patients with uncontrolled blood sugar levels on conventional therapies and normal to moderate kidney function, additional treatment with a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) is recommended. However, despite treatment with the current standard of care therapies, the risk for heart and kidney complications remains high in these patients.

Kerendia^® has a unique mechanism of action blocking the mineralocorticoid receptor, a receptor often overactivated in patients with CKD and diabetes, leading to inflammation in the heart and kidneys. Clinical trials found that Kerendia^®, when used as add-on therapy, was associated with reductions in the risk of kidney injury, heart complications, and death due to cardiovascular diseases in patients with CKD and T2DM.

To ensure Kerendia^® will be used as add on therapy, it will be placed under Special Authorization for ClaimSecure groups subscribed to Managed Formularies.