Bayer’s finerenone benefits heart failure patients
Bayer has shared early data suggesting finerenone, a drug already approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to reduce heart and kidney risks in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and type 2 diabetes, may also be an effective treatment for heart failure.
Finerenone is Bayer’s non-steroidal, selective mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist sold under the brand name Kerendia. FINEARTS-HF is a randomized study focused on the safety and effectiveness of finerenone in approximately 6,000 patients with symptomatic heart failure with mildly reduced or preserved left ventricular ejection fraction. Patients received either finerenone or a placebo once daily for up to 42 months.
According to Bayer, initial findings from FINEARTS-HF are positive; finerenone was associated with a “statistically significant” reduction in the study’s primary endpoint, a composite of cardiovascular deaths and total heart failure events. The company plans to officially present these data in September at the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2024 in London. In addition, it may submit the findings to the FDA in hopes of receiving another approval for the popular drug.
“Bayer is determined to drive research and innovations that have the potential to become treatment options for diseases with high unmet medical need, including for patients with mildly reduced or preserved ejection fraction,” said Christian Rommel, PhD, head of research and development with Bayer Pharmaceuticals, said in a statement.
Bayer has made conducting additional research into finerenone a top priority in recent years. FINEARTS-HF is one of many studies included in the company’s MOONRAKER program dedicated to tracking finerenone’s potential among heart patients.
Michael has more than 18 years of experience as a professional writer and editor. He has written at length about cardiology, radiology, artificial intelligence and other key healthcare topics.