Forxiga has been approved in China to reduce the risk of sustained estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decline, end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), cardiovascular (CV) death and hospitalisation for heart failure (hHF) in adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD) at risk of progression with and without type-2 diabetes (T2D).

The approval by China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) is based on positive results from the DAPA-CKD Phase III trial.

“In addition to AstraZeneca’s commitment to drive increased awareness, prevention and earlier diagnoses, this approval marks another important step forward in our ambition to stop, reverse and ultimately cure chronic kidney disease globally. We are thrilled at the opportunity to bring Forxiga to millions of patients across the country and improve patient outcomes,” says Mene Pangalos, Executive Vice President, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca.

The DAPA-CKD Phase III trial

The DAPA-CKD Phase III trial demonstrated that Forxiga, on top of standard-of-care (SoC) treatment with an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or an angiotensin receptor blocker, reduced the relative risk of worsening of renal function, onset of ESKD, or risk of CV or renal death by 39%, the primary composite endpoint, compared to placebo in patients with CKD Stages 2-4 and elevated urinary albumin excretion. Forxiga also significantly reduced the relative risk of death from any cause by 31% compared to placebo. The safety and tolerability of Forxiga were consistent with the well-established safety profile of the medicine.

Forxiga (known as Farxiga in the US) is now approved in 100 countries around the world including the US, the European Union and Japan for the treatment of CKD in adults with and without T2D.

Photo: AstraZeneca research