New Drug Shows Promise for Protecting Kidneys in Type 1 Diabetes

In November 2024, pharmaceutical company Bayer announced positive results from FINE-ONE, a large phase 3 clinical trial testing finerenone in people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) related to type 1 diabetes. The trial achieved its main goal: finerenone significantly reduced urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR), a measurement doctors use to detect kidney damage, compared to placebo.

The trial was global in scope and rigorously designed to test whether finerenone could help protect the kidneys of people with T1D and CKD. Results were presented at the American Society of Nephrology Kidney Week conference in Houston, Texas.

Finerenone is a medication that blocks the activity of aldosterone, a hormone that plays a role in kidney damage when chronic kidney disease is present. By reducing aldosterone's effects, the drug helps protect kidneys from further harm.

Finerenone is already approved and used to treat chronic kidney disease in people with type 2 diabetes. This trial examined whether it would be similarly helpful for people with type 1 diabetes.

In people with type 2 diabetes, previous studies have shown that when finerenone reduces UACR levels, it is linked to better long-term outcomes: slower kidney disease progression, lower risk of kidney failure, and fewer cardiovascular events. Researchers believe similar benefits are likely in people with type 1 diabetes who see UACR reductions from the drug.

It's important to note that a reduction in UACR is an indicator of kidney protection, but it's not the same as preventing kidney disease altogether. These results are promising, but more time and additional research will show how the drug affects long-term kidney health.

Throughout the trial, finerenone was well-tolerated. No new safety problems were identified, and serious side effects were uncommon.

Based on these positive findings, Bayer plans to submit the trial data to regulatory agencies for review. If approved, finerenone could become an additional treatment option for people with type 1 diabetes and chronic kidney disease—a serious complication that affects kidney function over time.

Origin: breakthrought1d.org (News report). Evidence: News report — unverified, pending corroboration. Type1Cure is an information and intelligence hub, not a medical advice service. This article summarizes published research and does not provide diagnosis, treatment, or personal medical guidance. Always talk to your own care team before changing anything about your Type 1 diabetes management.