Individuals living with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and high cardiovascular (CV) risk are more susceptible to chronic kidney disease (CKD) and kidney failure. With approximately 20–50% of adults with T2DM ultimately developing CKD, an important goal of therapy is to reduce or prevent the progression of this complication.

Tirzepatide is a dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist (RA) approved for treatment of T2DM. In proof-of-concept and Phase 2 studies, tirzepatide improved beta cell function and insulin sensitivity when compared with certain GLP-1 RAs. Extending these observations, the therapeutic efficacy, safety and tolerability of tirzepatide versus placebo and other glucose-lowering drugs were evaluated in the SURPASS clinical trial programme.