COPENHAGEN, March 5 (Reuters) - Novo Nordisk's

widely used diabetes drug Ozempic delayed progression

of chronic kidney disease in diabetes patients, lowering the

risk of major cardiac events and death by 24%, according to a

large late-stage study.

In October, the Danish drugmaker stopped the trial almost a

year ahead of schedule because it was clear from an interim

analysis that the treatment would succeed.

"The trial achieved its primary endpoint by

demonstrating a statistically significant and superior reduction

in kidney disease progression, major adverse cardiovascular

events (MACE) and death of 24%," it said in a statement.

The trial called FLOW started in 2019 and involved

roughly 3,500 patients with type 2 diabetes and moderate to

severe chronic kidney disease who were given 1 milligram (mg) of

once-weekly semaglutide in addition to standard care.

"The positive results from FLOW demonstrate the

potential for semaglutide to become the first GLP-1 treatment

option for people living with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney

disease," Novo said.

Semaglutide is also the active ingredient in Novo's

powerful weight-loss drug Wegovy. Both belong to a class of

drugs known as GLP-1 analogues, which mimic hormones and in turn

reduce appetite and increase the feeling of fullness after

eating.