The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted a supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for Jardiance® (empagliflozin) tablets, which is being investigated as a potential treatment to reduce the risk of kidney disease progression and cardiovascular death in adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD), Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly and Company announced.

"There is a significant need for additional therapies that reduce the risk of kidney disease progression and hospitalizations in adults with CKD," said Mohamed Eid, M.D., M.P.H., M.H.A., vice president, Clinical Development & Medical Affairs, Cardio-Renal-Metabolism & Respiratory Medicine, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. "This application acceptance is an important step forward for the approximately 37 million people in the U.S. living with CKD."

The sNDA is based on results from the landmark EMPA-KIDNEY phase III trial, in which Jardiance significantly reduced the risk of kidney disease progression* or cardiovascular death in adults with CKD by 28% (ARR: 3.8%) compared with placebo, both on top of standard of care.

EMPA-KIDNEY, the largest and broadest dedicated SGLT2 inhibitor trial in CKD to date, provides additional data for patients commonly seen in clinical practice. The trial enrolled 6,609 participants, including people without diabetes (56%), those with various underlying causes of CKD and those across the spectrum of eGFR and urine albumin-creatinine ratio (measures of kidney function and excess albumin in the urine, respectively). Overall, the safety data in EMPA-KIDNEY were consistent with the previously known safety profile of Jardiance.

Initially approved in 2014, Jardiance is a once-daily tablet used along with diet and exercise to lower blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes; and to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death in adults with type 2 diabetes and known cardiovascular disease.

"This marks another exciting milestone for Jardiance, potentially extending its ability to positively impact the approximately one billion people diagnosed with a cardio, renal or metabolic condition," said Jeff Emmick, M.D., Ph.D., vice president, Product Development, Lilly. "We look forward to working with the FDA during the review process and eagerly await a decision later this year on the indication for CKD, which doubles a person's risk for hospitalization."

In March 2020, the FDA granted Fast Track designation to the clinical investigation of Jardiance to reduce the risk of kidney disease progression and cardiovascular death in adults with CKD. According to the FDA, Fast Track designation is designed to facilitate the development of drugs and expedite treatments that may address serious conditions and fill an unmet medical need. Jardiance is not indicated for the treatment of CKD.

*Kidney disease progression: Defined as end-stage kidney disease (the initiation of maintenance dialysis or receipt of a kidney transplant), a sustained decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) to below 10 mL/min/1.73 m2, kidney death or a sustained decline of at least 40% in eGFR from randomization).