Company recognized for bringing a new therapeutic choice to people living with chronic kidney disease (CKD).
New York, NY — May 6, 2026 – Novo Nordisk has been selected to receive the 2026 Corporate Innovator Award from the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) at the 2026 Spring Clinical Meetings in New Orleans.
In January 2025, Novo Nordisk received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of Ozempic® to reduce the risk of kidney disease worsening, kidney failure (end-stage kidney disease), and death due to cardiovascular disease in adults with type 2 diabetes and CKD.
“As the burden of kidney disease continues to grow, new treatment options are essential to closing long-standing gaps in medications that can slow disease progression, prevent kidney failure, and improve long-term outcomes” said Kevin Longino, CEO, National Kidney Foundation and a kidney transplant recipient. “We commend Novo Nordisk for advancing care for people living with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease through the expanded indication of Ozempic. This milestone represents more than a new label—it reflects meaningful progress in expanding therapeutic choice for patients and clinicians.”
CKD is a common complication of type 2 diabetes, with approximately 40% of people with type 2 diabetes also experiencing CKD. For people with type 2 diabetes, CKD can be a significant burden and can cause additional morbidity, including increased risk of cardiovascular disease and death.
"Chronic kidney disease remains a serious and widespread comorbidity among adults with type 2 diabetes. Last year’s approval of Ozempic® for use in adults with type 2 diabetes and CKD marked an important milestone in being able to help address a risk for so many," said Anna Windle, PhD, Head of Clinical Development, Medical & Regulatory Affairs at Novo Nordisk US Operations, "We are proud of the science that led to this innovation for patients and further pursuing treatments that deliver real benefits to patients."
The Corporate Innovator Award was established to recognize industry leaders that advance the field of nephrology by addressing an unmet medical need, or improving upon an existing practice, therapeutic or technology. The award will be presented to Novo Nordisk during the NKF Spring Clinical Meetings in New Orleans, which will be held from May 6 - 10.
NKF Spring Clinical Meetings
For more than 30 years, nephrology healthcare professionals from across the country have come to the NKF Spring Clinical Meetings to learn about the newest developments related to all aspects of nephrology practice; network with colleagues; and present their research findings. The NKF Spring Clinical Meetings are designed for meaningful change in the multidisciplinary and interprofessional healthcare teams’ skills, performance, and patient health outcomes. It is the only conference of its kind that focuses on translating science into practice for the entire healthcare team. This year’s Spring Clinical Meetings will be held May 6 - 10 in New Orleans.
Kidney Disease
In the United States, more than 35 million adults are estimated to have kidney disease, also known as chronic kidney disease (CKD)—and approximately 90 percent don’t know they have it. About 1 in 3 adults in the U.S. are at risk for kidney disease. Risk factors for kidney disease include: diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, and family history. People of Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian American, or Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander descent are at increased risk for developing the disease. Black or African American people are about four times as likely as White people to have kidney failure. Hispanics experience kidney failure at about double the rate of White people.
About the National Kidney Foundation
The National Kidney Foundation is revolutionizing the fight to save lives by eliminating preventable kidney disease, accelerating innovation for the dignity of the patient experience, and dismantling structural inequities in kidney care, dialysis, and transplantation. For more information about kidney disease, please visit www.kidney.org/
###
Media Contact:
Paul McGee, National Kidney Foundation
paul.mcgee@kidney.org or 716.523.6874