Kerendia

Measure serum potassium levels and eGFR before initiation. Do not initiate treatment if serum potassium is > 5.0 mEq/L [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].

The recommended starting dose of Kerendia is based on eGFR and is presented in Table 1.

For patients who are unable to swallow whole tablets, Kerendia may be crushed and mixed with water or soft foods such as applesauce immediately prior to use and administered orally [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

Direct a patient to take a missed dose as soon as possible after it is noticed, but only on the same day. If this is not possible, the patient should skip the dose and continue with the next dose as prescribed.

Kerendia can cause hyperkalemia [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)].

The risk for developing hyperkalemia increases with decreasing kidney function and is greater in patients with higher baseline potassium levels or other risk factors for hyperkalemia. Measure serum potassium and eGFR in all patients before initiation of treatment with Kerendia and dose accordingly [see Dosage and Administration (2.1)]. Do not initiate Kerendia if serum potassium is > 5.0 mEq/L.

Measure serum potassium periodically during treatment with Kerendia and adjust dose accordingly [see Dosage and Administration (2.3)]. More frequent monitoring may be necessary for patients at risk for hyperkalemia, including those on concomitant medications that impair potassium excretion or increase serum potassium [see Drug Interactions (7.1, 7.2)].

Kerendia can cause worsening of renal function in patients with heart failure. Rarely, severe events associated with worsening renal function, including events requiring hospitalization, have been observed [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)].

Measure eGFR in all patients before initiation of treatment or with dose titration of Kerendia and dose accordingly [see Dosage and Administration (2.1, 2.3)]. Initiation of Kerendia in patients with heart failure and an eGFR <25 mL/min/1.73m² is not recommended.

Measure eGFR periodically during maintenance treatment with Kerendia in patients with heart failure. Consider delaying up-titration or interrupting treatment with Kerendia in patients who develop clinically significant worsening of renal function.

Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.

The following additional adverse reactions have been reported in postmarketing experience with finerenone. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to estimate their frequency reliably or to establish a causal relationship to drug exposure:

Hypersensitivity: Angioedema, Rash and Urticaria

More frequent serum potassium monitoring is warranted in patients receiving concomitant therapy with drugs or supplements that increase serum potassium [see Dosage and Administration (2.3) and Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].

The safety and efficacy of Kerendia have not been established in patients below 18 years of age.

Of the 6510 patients who received Kerendia in the FIDELIO-DKD and FIGARO-DKD studies, 55% were 65 years and older, and 14% were 75 years and older. Of the 2993 patients who received Kerendia in the FINEARTS-HF study, 79% were 65 years and older, and 43% were 75 years and older. Of the 119 patients who received Kerendia in the FINE-ONE study, 22% were 65 years and older, and 3% were 75 years and older. No overall differences in safety or efficacy were observed between these patients and younger patients. No dose adjustment is required.

Avoid use of Kerendia in patients with severe hepatic impairment (Child Pugh C).

No dosage adjustment is recommended in patients with mild or moderate hepatic impairment (Child Pugh A or B).

Consider additional serum potassium monitoring in patients with moderate hepatic impairment (Child Pugh B) [see Dosage and Administration (2.3) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

Finerenone is a nonsteroidal, selective antagonist of the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR), which is activated by aldosterone and cortisol and regulates gene transcription. Finerenone blocks MR mediated sodium reabsorption and MR overactivation in both epithelial (e.g., kidney) and nonepithelial (e.g., heart, and blood vessels) tissues. MR overactivation is thought to contribute to fibrosis and inflammation. Finerenone has a high potency and selectivity for the MR and has no relevant affinity for androgen, progesterone, estrogen, and glucocorticoid receptors.

In ARTS DN, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter phase IIb dose finding study in adults with CKD and T2DM, the placebo-corrected relative reduction in UACR at Day 90 was 25% and 38% in patients treated with finerenone 10 mg and 20 mg once daily, respectively. In patients treated with Kerendia, the mean systolic blood pressure decreased by 3 mmHg and the mean diastolic blood pressure decreased by 1-2 mmHg at month 1, remaining stable thereafter.

In FIDELIO-DKD and FIGARO-DKD, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter studies in adult patients with CKD associated with T2DM, the placebo-corrected relative reduction in UACR in patients randomized to finerenone was 31% (95% CI 29-34%), and 32% (95% CI 30-35%), respectively, at Month 4 and remained stable for the duration of the trial.

Finerenone exposure increased proportionally over a dose range of 1.25 to 80 mg (0.06 to 4 times the maximum approved recommended dosage). Steady state of finerenone was achieved after 2 days of dosing. The estimated steady-state geometric mean C_max,md was 166 µg/L and steady-state geometric mean AUC_τ,md was 718 µg.h/L following administration of finerenone 20 mg to patients.

Finerenone was non-genotoxic in an in vitro bacterial reverse mutation (Ames) assay, the in vitro chromosomal aberration assay in cultured Chinese hamster V79 cells, or the in vivo micronucleus assay in mice.

In 2-year carcinogenicity studies, finerenone did not show a statistically significant increase in tumor response in Wistar rats or in CD1 mice. In male mice, Leydig cell adenoma was numerically increased at a dose representing 10 times the AUC_unbound in humans and is not considered clinically relevant. Finerenone did not impair fertility in male rats but impaired fertility in female rats at 9 times AUC to the maximum human exposure.

FIDELIO-DKD (NCT: 02540993) and FIGARO-DKD (NCT: 02545049) studies were randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter studies in adults with CKD associated with T2DM. In FIDELIO-DKD, patients were required to either have an UACR of 30 to < 300 mg/g, eGFR 25 to < 60 mL/min/1.73m² and diabetic retinopathy, or an UACR of ≥ 300 mg/g and an eGFR 25 to < 75 mL/min/1.73m² to qualify for enrollment. In FIGARO-DKD, patients needed to have an UACR of 30 mg/g to < 300 mg/g and an eGFR 25 to 90 mL/min/1.73m², or an UACR of ≥ 300 mg/g and an eGFR ≥ 60 mL/min/1.73m².

Both trials excluded patients with known significant non-diabetic kidney disease. All patients were to have a serum potassium ≤ 4.8 mEq/L at screening and be receiving standard of care background therapy, including a maximum tolerated labeled dose of an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEi) or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB). Patients with a clinical diagnosis of chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and persistent symptoms (New York Heart Association class II to IV) were excluded. The starting dose of Kerendia was based on screening eGFR (10 mg once daily in patients with an eGFR of 25 to < 60 mL/min/1.73m² and 20 mg once daily in patients with an eGFR ≥ 60 mL/min/1.73m²). The dose of Kerendia could be titrated during the study, with a target dose of 20 mg daily.

The primary objective of the FIDELIO-DKD study was to determine whether Kerendia reduced the incidence of a sustained decline in eGFR of ≥ 40%, kidney failure (defined as chronic dialysis, kidney transplantation, or a sustained decrease in eGFR to < 15 mL/min/1.73m²), or renal death. The secondary outcome was a composite of time to first occurrence of CV death, non-fatal MI, non-fatal stroke or hospitalization for heart failure. The primary objective of the FIGARO-DKD study was to determine whether Kerendia reduced the time to first occurrence of CV death, non-fatal MI, non-fatal stroke or hospitalization for heart failure. The secondary outcome was a composite of time to kidney failure, a sustained decline in eGFR 40% or more compared to baseline over at least 4 weeks, or renal death.

In FIDELIO-DKD, a total of 5674 patients were randomized to receive Kerendia (N=2833) or placebo (N=2841) and were followed for a median of 2.6 years. The mean age of the study population was 66 years, and 70% of patients were male. This global trial population was 63% White, 25% Asian, and 5% Black. At baseline, the mean eGFR was 44 mL/min/1.73m², with 55% of patients having an eGFR < 45 mL/min/1.73m². Median UACR was 852 mg/g, mean glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) was 7.7%, and the mean blood pressure was 138/76 mmHg. Approximately 46% of patients had a history of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and 8% had a history of heart failure. At baseline, 99.8% of patients were treated with an ACEi or ARB. Approximately 97% were on an antidiabetic agent (insulin [64.1%], biguanides [44%], glucagon-like peptide-1 [GLP-1] receptor agonists [7%], sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 [SGLT2] inhibitors [5%]), 74% were on a statin, and 57% were on an antiplatelet agent.

In FIGARO-DKD, a total of 7352 patients were randomized to receive Kerendia (N=3686) or placebo (N=3666) and were followed for 3.4 years. As compared to FIDELIO-DKD, baseline eGFR was higher in FIGARO-DKD (mean eGFR 68, with 62% of patients having an eGFR ≥ 60 mL/min/1.73m²) and median UACR was lower (308 mg/g). Otherwise, baseline patient characteristics and background therapies were similar in the two trials.

In FIDELIO-DKD, Kerendia reduced the incidence of the primary composite endpoint of a sustained decline in eGFR ≥ 40%, kidney failure, or renal death (HR 0.82, 95% CI 0.73-0.93, p=0.001) as shown in Table 5 and Figure 1. The treatment effect reflected a reduction in a sustained decline in eGFR ≥ 40% and progression to kidney failure. There were few renal deaths during the trial. Kerendia also reduced the incidence of the secondary composite endpoint of cardiovascular (CV) death, non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI), non-fatal stroke or hospitalization for heart failure (HR 0.86, 95% CI 0.75-0.99, p=0.034) as shown in Table 5 and Figure 3. The treatment effect reflected a reduction in CV death, non-fatal MI, and hospitalization for heart failure. The treatment effect on the primary and secondary composite endpoints was generally consistent across subgroups.

In FIGARO-DKD, Kerendia reduced the incidence of the primary composite endpoint of CV death, non-fatal MI, non-fatal stroke or hospitalization for heart failure (HR 0.87, 95% CI 0.76-0.98, p=0.026) as shown in Table 5 and Figure 4. The treatment effect was mainly driven by an effect on hospitalization for heart failure, though CV death also contributed to the treatment effect. The treatment effect on the primary composite endpoint was generally consistent across subgroups, including patients with and without pre-existing cardiovascular disease. The findings for the renal composite endpoint are shown in Table 5 and Figure 2.

Figure 1: Time to first occurrence of kidney failure, sustained decline in eGFR ≥ 40% from baseline, or renal death in the FIDELIO-DKD study

Figure 2: Time to first occurrence of kidney failure, sustained decline in eGFR ≥ 40% from baseline, or renal death in the FIGARO-DKD study

Figure 3: Time to first occurrence of CV death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, non-fatal stroke or hospitalization for heart failure in the FIDELIO-DKD study

Figure 4: Time to first occurrence of CV death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, non-fatal stroke or hospitalization for heart failure in the FIGARO-DKD study

Use of Kerendia for this indication is supported by evidence from adequate and well-controlled studies in adults with CKD associated with T2DM (FIDELIO-DKD and FIGARO-DKD) with additional pharmacodynamic and safety data in adults with CKD associated with T1DM. Kerendia improved renal outcomes and reduced UACR in adults with CKD associated with T2DM in the FIDELIO-DKD and FIGARO-DKD studies. Therefore, the effect on UACR was used to infer a reduction in the risk of sustained eGFR decline and end-stage kidney disease in adults with CKD associated with T1DM.

FINE-ONE (NCT: 05901831) was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study in 242 adults with CKD associated with T1DM. Patients were required to have an UACR ≥200 mg/g to <5000 mg/g at screening, HbA1c <10%, eGFR 25 to <90 mL/min/1.73m², and serum potassium ≤4.8 mEq/L, be continuously treated with insulin, and be receiving a stable dose of an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEi) or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) as standard of care. Patients treated with sodium glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists were excluded from the study. Patients were randomized to receive either Kerendia (N=120) or placebo (N=122) over 6 months. The starting and target dose of Kerendia was the same as the FIDELIO-DKD and FIGARO-DKD studies.

The primary endpoint in FINE-ONE was the change in log-transformed UACR from baseline (evaluated as the ratio to baseline) averaged over Months 3 and 6. Treatment with Kerendia reduced UACR compared to placebo over 6 months (p=0.0001). At Months 3 and 6, the adjusted relative reduction in UACR comparing Kerendia with placebo was 22% (ratio of Least Square Geometric Mean Ratio (LSGMR) of 0.78; 95% CI: 0.68, 0.90) and 28% (ratio of LSGMR of 0.72; 95% CI: 0.60, 0.86), respectively.

FINEARTS-HF (NCT: 04435626) was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study in adult patients with heart failure (New York Heart Association [NYHA] class II–IV) with documented left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≥ 40%. Patients were required to have an eGFR ≥25 mL/min/1.73m² and serum potassium ≤5.0 mEq/L at screening and randomization and were receiving background heart failure medical treatment, including diuretics. The primary endpoint was the composite of cardiovascular (CV) death and total (first and recurrent) heart failure events comprised of hospitalization for heart failure and urgent heart failure visits.

In FINEARTS-HF, 6001 patients were analyzed; 3003 were randomized to Kerendia and 2998 were randomized to placebo and were followed for a median of 2.7 years. The study included 3247 (54%) patients with a heart failure event in the past 3 months, including 1219 (20%) patients randomized during the hospitalization or within 7 days from the heart failure event. Patients with eGFR ≥ 25 to <60 mL/min/1.73m² initiated Kerendia 10 mg and patients with eGFR ≥60 mL/min/1.73m² initiated Kerendia 20 mg, and both groups were titrated up to a target dose of Kerendia 20 mg and 40 mg, respectively. At month 6, approximately 65% of the patients reached their target dose. The study population was 79% White, 17% Asian, and 1.5% Black. The mean age at enrollment was 72 years and 46% of patients were female. At baseline, the mean LVEF was 53%, with 64% of patients having an LVEF ≥ 50%, and 69% and 30% of patients were NYHA class II and III, respectively. Mean blood pressure was 129/75 mmHg and mean body mass index (BMI) was 30 kg/m². The median NT-proBNP was 1041 pg/mL, the mean eGFR was 62 mL/min/1.73m² with 48% of patients having an eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73m². Atrial fibrillation was present on screening/baseline ECG for 38% of patients and 41% had diabetes mellitus. The majority of patients were on loop diuretics (87%), an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEi) or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) (79%), or an angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI) (9%), and 14% were on sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors.

Kerendia reduced the risk of the primary composite endpoint compared to placebo (Relative Risk [RR] 0.84, 95% CI 0.74-0.95, p=0.007). See Table 6 and Figure 5 below. The Kerendia and placebo event curves separated early and continued to diverge over the study period, see Figure 5 below. Kerendia reduced the risk of the secondary endpoint of total heart failure events (hospitalization for HF or urgent HF visit) compared to placebo (RR 0.82, 95% CI 0.71-0.94, p=0.006). The treatment effect for the primary endpoint was consistent across all pre-specified subgroups, including sex, LVEF, NYHA class, eGFR, time since latest heart failure event, SGLT2 inhibitor therapy, and diabetes mellitus status.

Figure 5: Mean cumulative functions for primary composite endpoint of CV death and total HF events in Phase 3 study FINEARTS-HF

Figure 5

Kerendia is available as a film-coated tablet in three strengths. The 10 mg is a pink oblong tablet with "FI" on one side of tablet and "10" on the other side of tablet. The 20 mg tablet is a yellow oblong tablet with "FI" on one side of tablet and "20" on the other side of tablet. The 40 mg tablet is a gray-orange oblong tablet with "FI" on one side of tablet and "40" on the other side of tablet.

Store at 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F); excursions are permitted from 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature].