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

Background: Finerenone, a non-steroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist, improved kidney and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and type 2 diabetes in two phase 3 outcome trials. The Finerenone, in addition to standard of care, on the progression of kidney disease in patients with Non-Diabetic Chronic Kidney Disease (FIND-CKD) study investigates the effect of finerenone in adults with CKD without diabetes. Methods: FIND-CKD (NCT05047263 and EU CT 2023-506897-11-00) is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial in patients with CKD of non-diabetic aetiology. Adults with a urinary albumin:creatinine ratio (UACR) ≥200-≤3500 mg/g and an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥25-<90 ml/min/1.73 m2 receiving a maximum tolerated dose of a renin-angiotensin system inhibitor were randomized 1:1 to once-daily placebo or finerenone 10 or 20 mg depending on eGFR >60 or <60 ml/min/1.73 m2. The primary efficacy outcome is total eGFR slope, defined as the mean annual rate of change in eGFR from baseline to month 32. Secondary efficacy outcomes include a combined cardiorenal composite outcome comprising time to kidney failure, sustained ≥57% decrease in eGFR, hospitalization for heart failure or cardiovascular death, as well as separate kidney and cardiovascular composite outcomes. Adverse events are recorded to assess tolerability and safety. Results: Across 24 countries, 3231 patients were screened and 1584 were randomized to study treatment. The most common causes of CKD were chronic glomerulonephritis (57.0%) and hypertensive/ischaemic nephropathy (29.0%). Immunoglobulin A nephropathy was the most common glomerulonephritis (26.3% of the total population). At baseline, mean eGFR and median UACR were 46.7 ml/min/1.73 m2 and 818.9 mg/g, respectively. Diuretics were used by 282 participants (17.8%), statins by 851 (53.7%) and calcium channel blockers by 794 (50.1%). Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors were used in 16.9% of patients; these individuals had a similar mean eGFR (45.6 versus 46.8 ml/min/1.73 m2) and a slightly higher median UACR (871.9 versus 808.3 mg/g) compared with those not using SGLT2 inhibitors at baseline. Conclusions: FIND-CKD is the first phase 3 trial of finerenone in patients with CKD of non-diabetic aetiology.