Finerenone Slows Kidney Function Decline in Non-Diabetic CKD: ERA 2026

FINERENONE significantly slowed kidney function decline and reduced the risk of cardiovascular-kidney outcomes in adults with non-diabetic chronic kidney disease (CKD), according to findings from the Phase III FIND-CKD trial presented at the 63rd ERA Congress in Glasgow, Scotland.¹

CKD affects an estimated 850 million people worldwide and remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality.² Although diabetes is a leading contributor to CKD, many patients develop the condition in its absence and continue to face a substantial risk of progressive kidney function loss, kidney failure, and cardiovascular complications despite current standard therapies. ^3,4

FIND-CKD is the largest Phase III trial conducted to date in patients with non-diabetic CKD. The study enrolled more than 1,500 participants with a range of underlying kidney diseases, including hypertension-associated kidney disease and glomerular disorders. Patients were randomised to receive finerenone or placebo in addition to standard of care, including maximally tolerated renin–angiotensin system (RAS) blockade.

Finerenone Shows Benefit in Non-Diabetic CKD

The trial met its primary endpoint, demonstrating that finerenone significantly slowed the annual rate of decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), a key measure of kidney function. Compared with placebo, treatment with finerenone reduced the rate of kidney function decline by 0.7 mL/min/1.73 m² per year (95% CI: 0.3–1.1; p<0.001).

Finerenone also achieved a key secondary endpoint, reducing the risk of a composite cardiovascular-kidney outcome by 23% versus placebo (HR: 0.77; 95% CI: 0.60–0.99; p=0.043). The composite outcome included kidney failure, a sustained decline in eGFR of at least 57%, hospitalisation for heart failure, or cardiovascular death.

Commenting on the findings, lead author Professor Hiddo Lambers Heerspink, University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands, and Co-Chair of the study’s Executive Committee, stated that the results demonstrated significant preservation of kidney function and a reduction in cardiovascular-kidney events across multiple CKD aetiologies, with consistent effects observed across prespecified patient subgroups.

Finerenone Well Tolerated in FIND-CKD

The safety profile of finerenone was consistent with previous studies, with no new safety signals identified. Hyperkalaemia-related adverse events were more frequent in the finerenone group than in the placebo group; however, few cases resulted in treatment discontinuation or hospitalisation. Rates of acute kidney injury were similar between treatment groups.

Reference

1. Heerspink HJL et al. Finerenone in patients with chronic kidney disease. Abstract 186. ERA Congress, 3-6 June 2026.
2. Jager KJ et al. A single number for advocacy and communication-worldwide more than 850 million individuals have kidney diseases. Kidney International. 2019;96(5):1048-50.
3. Heerspink HJL et al. Design and baseline characteristics of the Finerenone, in addition to standard of care, on the progression of kidney disease in patients with Non-Diabetic Chronic Kidney Disease (FIND-CKD) randomized trial. Nephrol Dial Transplant. 2025;40:308-19.
4. The Nuffield Department of Population Health Renal Studies Group & the SGLT2 inhibitor Meta-Analysis Cardio-Renal Trialists’ Consortium.Lancet.2022;400:1788-1801.

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