Renalytix upbeat on new KidneyIntelX data

Renalytix announced new data demonstrating that its ‘KidneyIntelX’ product can be effective at monitoring therapeutic response and improvements in kidney health over time, in adults with type-2 diabetes.

The AIM-traded firm said that by accurately assessing therapeutic response, particularly in patients at high risk of kidney failure, KidneyIntelX could potentially address a “major barrier” for primary care physicians and specialists in using new pharmaceuticals to slow kidney disease and improve outcomes.

It said the data from an international study of 1,100 individuals with diabetic kidney disease in the ‘CANagliflozin Cardiovascular Assessment Study’, or ‘CANVAS’, was presented at the American Diabetes Association’s 81st ‘Scientific Sessions’ virtual meeting currently taking place.

The results would be further evaluated through a “growing body” of real-world evidence and clinical effectiveness data, driven by the company’s KidneyIntelX multi-institutional study network in more than 6,000 patients.

Renalytix said the network was assessing the ability of KidneyIntelX to appropriately risk stratify patients in early stage kidney disease, help guide the optimal medication regime based on individualised risk assessment, and monitor therapeutic response and kidney health using repeat testing over time.

KidneyIntelX was being deployed to manage diabetic kidney disease populations beginning at primary care-level, in partnership with large health care systems including the University of Utah, the Mount Sinai Health System, and Atrium Health, Wake Forest Baptist Health.

“The ability of KidneyIntelX to assess SGLT2 inhibitor response and improvements in kidney health through repeat testing is a significant step towards broader utilization of new therapeutic agents to significantly reduce the risk of kidney failure,” said the company’s chief medical officer, Michael Donovan.

“This is another demonstration of the unique value of the KidneyIntelX bioprognostic solution to assist in early and effective care management of the 12 to 15 million adults in the United States with diabetes and chronic kidney disease.”

The new analysis, based on data from the CANVAS trial, demonstrated that canagliflozin reduced the KidneyIntelX risk score compared with a placebo over time, and that changes in the KidneyIntelX score from baseline to one year were “strongly prognostic” for future risk of diabetic kidney disease progression, whether the changes were treatment-induced or due to natural disease progression, the company explained.

It said the data was the second output in a series of analyses of the CANVAS cohort in conjunction with Janssen Research and Development, including the role of KidneyIntelX in treatment decisions and monitoring therapeutic effect.

At 0903 BST, shares in Renalytix were up 3.82% at 1,131.63p.