Bayer said its experimental drug finerenone delayed the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in patients with type 2 diabetes in a late-stage study.

The phase 3 trial enrolled 5,700 participants across 48 countries, with patients randomized to receive finerenone 10 mg or 20 mg once-a-day or a placebo, in addition to standard of care.

Patients receiving finerenone saw a delayed CKD progression as measured by time to first occurrence of kidney failure or renal death and by time to first occurrence of heart disease-related death.

Finerenone is a non-steroidal, selective mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist that offsets the negative effects of overactivation of the mineralocorticoid receptor, which can damage the kidneys and heart.