January 15, 2026
In 2025, the FDA approved several new medications for kidney disease that target specific causes of kidney damage and may help slow disease progression and protect kidney function. Not every medicine is right for every type of kidney disease, but these approvals offer new hope for many patients. Speak with your healthcare provider to learn if any are right for you.
Table of Contents
Ozempic for Type 2 Diabetes and Chronic Kidney Disease
Ozempic (semaglutide) was first approved to treat type 2 in 2017. In 2025, it was also approved to help protect the kidneys in adults who have both type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease.
What Is Ozempic?
Ozempic is a medicine called a GLP-1 receptor agonist. GLP-1s work like a natural hormone in the body, helping control blood sugar and reducing stress on the kidneys and heart.
How Ozempic Helps
Ozempic may help:
- Slow kidney disease progression
- Lower the risk of kidney failure
- Reduce the risk of heart-related death
Voyxact (sibeprenlimab-szsi) for IgA Nephropathy (IgAN)
Voyxact (sibeprenlimab-szsi) is approved for adults with IgAN, which occurs when a protein called IgA builds up and damages the kidney filters.
What Is Voyxact?
Voyxact is a monoclonal antibody that is self-administered through injection every four weeks. It targets a protein in the immune system that plays a role in kidney damage associated with IgAN.
How Voyxact Helps
Voyxact blocks a protein called APRIL, which tells the body to make abnormal IgA proteins. These proteins can build up in the kidneys and cause damage.
By blocking APRIL, Voyxact may:
- Lower protein in the urine
- Reduce kidney inflammation
- Lower damage caused by abnormal IgA proteins
Studies are still underway to see how well Voyxact protects kidney function (GFR) over time.
Fabhalta for Complement 3 Glomerulopathy (C3G)
Fabhalta (iptacopan) is an FDA-approved treatment for C3G, a rare disease caused by an overactive immune system. Fabhalta was already approved in 2024 to treat IgAN and in 2023 to treat paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH). PNH is a rare immune disorder that targets and destroys red blood cells.
What Is Fabhalta?
Fabhalta is a complement inhibitor that helps calm the part of the immune system harming the kidneys.
How Fabhalta Helps
Studies show Fabhalta may:
- Lower protein in the urine
- Reduce kidney inflammation
Empaveli for C3G and IC-MPGN
Empaveli (pegcetacoplan) is an FDA-approved treatment for people ages 12 and older with:
- C3 Glomerulopathy (C3G), or
- Primary Immune Complex Membranoproliferative Glomerulonephritis (IC-MPGN)
Empaveli was also already approved in 2021 to treat PNH in adults.
What Is Empaveli?
Empaveli is another complement inhibitor made to calm the part of the immune system that damages the kidneys.
How Empaveli Helps
In clinical studies, Empaveli helped:
- Lower protein in the urine
- Keep kidney function steady
- Reduce signs of immune system overactivity
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Vanrafia for IgAN
Vanrafia (atrasentan) is approved for adults with IgA nephropathy.
What Is Vanrafia?
Vanrafia is an endothelin receptor antagonist. It blocks a hormone that can tighten blood vessels and increase pressure inside the kidneys. By blocking this hormone, the medicine helps reduce kidney stress, swelling, and scarring.
This type of medicine has been studied for years in kidney disease and is now approved for IgAN.
How Vanrafia Helps
Studies show Vanrafia may:
- Lower protein in the urine
Studies are still underway to see how well Vanrafia protects kidney function (GFR) over time.
Gazyva for Lupus Nephritis
Gazyva (obinutuzumab) is an IV infusion approved for adults with active lupus nephritis who are also receiving standard treatment. Lupus nephritis is a serious kidney condition caused by lupus, an autoimmune disease.
What Is Gazyva?
GAZYVA is a monoclonal antibody that targets certain immune cells that cause kidney inflammation.
How Gazyva Helps
In studies, people who received Gazyva along with standard treatment were more likely to:
- Maintain or improve kidney function
- Have less protein in their urine
- Reach a complete kidney response
Talk to Your Doctor About New Kidney Treatments
Not every medicine is right for every person. Your kidney disease type, stage, and other health conditions matter.
Talk to your doctor or kidney care team. You may want to ask:
- Is this medicine an option for me?
- What are the possible benefits and risks?
- How might it fit into my current treatment plan?
Making informed choices with your care team can help you protect your kidney health and plan for the future.
