Kidney Week

Abstract: TH-PO1238

Effects of Retatrutide on Kidney Parameters in Participants with Obesity or Overweight and CKD

Session Information

• Late-Breaking Research Posters
  October 22, 2026 | Location: Exhibit Hall A, Convention Center
  Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Category: Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic Health

• 602 Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic Health: Clinical

Authors

• Heerspink, Hiddo Jan L., University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands

Hiddo Jan L. Heerspink, PharmD, PhD

• Botros, Fady T., Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States

Fady T. Botros, PhD

• Hurt, Karla C, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States

Karla C Hurt, RN

• Smith, James P., Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States

James P. Smith, MD, MS

• Wu, Peikun, R&G US, Somerset, New Jersey, United States

Peikun Wu, MS

• Tunali, Ilke, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States

Ilke Tunali, PhD

• Koeneman, Lisette, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States

Lisette Koeneman, MD

• van Raalte, Daniël H., Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Daniël H. van Raalte, MD, PhD

• Bjornstad, Petter, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, United States

Petter Bjornstad, MD

Background

In a Phase 2 clinical trial in people with obesity or overweight, retatrutide (RETA), a triple agonist of GIP, GLP-1, and glucagon receptors, reduced body weight (BW) and albuminuria, and increased eGFR. Whether RETA affects measured GFR (mGFR), a measure less influenced by body composition changes, and markers of kidney function and structure was assessed in TRANSCEND-CKD.

Methods

TRANSCEND-CKD was a randomized, placebo (PBO)-controlled, double-blind Phase 2b clinical trial in adults with obesity or overweight and chronic kidney disease (CKD; eGFR 25-75 mL/min/1.73 m²), with or without type 2 diabetes. Participants were randomized 1:1 to once-weekly RETA titrated to 12 mg or matched PBO for 24 weeks. Primary endpoint was change from baseline (CFB) in iohexol mGFR at Week 24. Secondary endpoints included CFB in UACR, eGFR, and MRI-based kidney hemodynamic and structure parameters.

Results

We randomized 146 participants to RETA (N=75) or PBO (N=71). Mean age was 65 (SD 11) years; 66 (45%) were female; mean BW was 101 (SD 21) kg, mean mGFR 53 (SD 17) mL/min/1.73 m², and median UACR 14 mg/g. At Week 24, CFB in mGFR with RETA vs. PBO was -1.4 mL/min/1.73 m² (95% CI -9.2 to 6.3; p=0.714; Table). RETA vs. PBO increased creatinine or cystatin-C–based eGFR, and MRI-based kidney blood flow or filtration fraction did not change (Table). Among 42 (29%) participants with UACR ≥30 mg/g, CFB in UACR with RETA vs. PBO was -49.2% (95% CI -70.6 to -12.3). RETA was associated with reduced perirenal and sinus fat, intraglomerular pressure, renal artery resistive index, BW, and systolic blood pressure (BP).

Conclusion

In participants with obesity or overweight and CKD, RETA was associated with reduced UACR, BP, BW, and renal fat, while mGFR and glomerular hemodynamics were preserved, supporting the potential for long-term kidney protection.

Table: Key results from TRANSCEND-CKD
^aSubgroup of 42 participants with baseline UACR ≥30 mg/g; baseline data are median (interquartile range).

Funding

• Commercial Support – Eli Lilly and Company