A large international trial has found that semaglutide can meaningfully lower the risk of kidney failure in people with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease.
The trial, led by University of New South Wales researchers and published in the New England Journal of Medicine, followed more than 3,500 participants across 28 countries, including Australia. All had type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD).
What the trial found
Participants taking a weekly low dose of semaglutide had a 24% lower risk of major kidney events, an 18% lower risk of cardiovascular events like heart attack or stroke, and a 20% lower risk of death from any cause, compared with those on a placebo.
Why the kidney-heart link matters
People with type 2 diabetes and CKD often experience heart-related complications before their kidney disease progresses significantly. Historically, treatment options for this group have been limited mostly to blood pressure medications, which offer only modest kidney protection. Newer options like SGLT2 inhibitors have added benefit, but researchers say there's still a significant gap in care.
One of the trial's lead investigators described the results as "greater than expected," while also noting the ongoing global supply constraints for semaglutide-based medications.
What's next
Researchers say the challenge now is translating these findings into everyday clinical practice, and ensuring the medication reaches the people who are likely to benefit most. If you're managing diabetes alongside chronic kidney disease, this is worth raising with your GP or nephrologist directly, rather than acting on trial results alone.
