Researchers from leading North American medical centers report that the heart medicine sotagliflozin may offer protective benefits for the kidneys and heart in people with type 2 diabetes who also have chronic kidney disease. The findings were presented at ASN Kidney Week 2023, the world’s largest gathering of nephrologists, highlighting a continued effort to curb kidney decline and cardiovascular risk in this high‑risk group.
The analysis drew on data from the phase 3 SCORED trial, which enrolled 10,584 participants with type 2 diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and cardiovascular disease. Participants were randomized to receive sotagliflozin or a placebo and were followed for an average of 16 months. The results showed a 38% reduction in the combined risk of kidney damage or the need for kidney replacement therapy, and a 23% decrease in cardiovascular death risk among those treated with sotagliflozin compared with placebo. These findings reinforce the drug’s potential to slow kidney deterioration while improving heart-related outcomes in this patient population.
These observations align with the broader class of medicines known as SGLT inhibitors, which have shown renal and cardiovascular benefits across multiple studies. Sotagliflozin is available in the United States under the brand name INPEFA, prescribed to reduce cardiovascular risk in patients with heart failure or chronic kidney disease. In people with type 2 diabetes, the medication can help lower blood sugar in addition to offering protection for kidney and heart health.
Overall, the accumulating evidence supports sotagliflozin as a valuable option for slowing the progression of kidney dysfunction in diabetes while addressing cardiovascular risk factors. As researchers continue to refine dosing, safety profiles, and patient selection, clinicians in the United States and Canada are tracking how this therapy may fit into comprehensive diabetes and kidney care plans. Citations: data presented at ASN Kidney Week 2023 and corroborating studies on SGLT inhibitors for kidney and heart protection.