A new clinical trial, CKD-bioMatch (an important part of the PRIME-CKD project) has been initiated, aiming to improve treatment for patients with progressive chronic kidney disease (CKD). This initiative represents a major step toward bringing precision medicine from the lab to the clinic, using real biological signals to guide treatment decisions.

Coordinator of PRIME-CKD Hiddo L. Heerspink (UMCG, The Netherlands) is excited the trial has started and the first patients are enrolled:

“The enrolment of the first patients into the CKD-bioMatch trial marks an important step towards a better understanding how to personalize the treatment of CKD. This study pioneers a personalized medicine approach by using biological markers (biomarkers) to guide treatment, ensuring that the right drug reaches the right patient at the right time.”

The trial compares two treatment strategies:

• Care as usual: Participants receive guideline-based care for CKD management.
• Biomarker-guided treatment: Participants start treatment with an SGLT2 inhibitor, finerenone, or semaglutide. At regular intervals, two urine biomarkers—epidermal growth factor and albumin-to-creatinine ratio—will be measured. Based on the results, treatment is continued, a drug is added, or patients switch to an alternative drug.

This design allows researchers to adapt therapy to each patient’s biological response, rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all treatment approach.

The aim of this biomarker-guided treatment is to optimize therapy for each individual depending on their drug response. This sequential, biomarker-driven approach ensures that non-responders don’t waste time on ineffective treatments. The main goal is to show that this personalized, biomarker-guided treatment works better than standard care in protecting the kidneys.

Hiddo L. Heerspink adds:

“The results from CKD-bioMatch could lead to a future where urine tests guide optimal medication for people suffering from CKD.”

Beyond scientific innovation, the trial also demonstrates how an international collaboration can accelerate translation of biomarker research into patients’ benefit. The PRIME-CKD project reflects a strong shared commitment to improving kidney health through evidence-based personalization.

The trial is recruiting 125 patients with progressive CKD. Patients from Denmark, Sweden, Spain, United Kingdom and Germany are being included for the trial that will run for 3 years.

Its findings are expected to inform future treatment approaches and may redefine how clinicians can tailor therapy for CKD patients.

What this may mean in practice
If successful, CKD-bioMatch could help patients receive effective therapy sooner. By identifying non-responders early, clinicians may prevent avoidable disease progression and reduce the likelihood of severe complications such as dialysis.

For healthcare systems, biomarker-guided therapy has the potential to improve treatment efficiency by focusing resources on therapies that offer measurable benefit. This could support future decision-making for reimbursement, guideline development and long-term kidney-health strategies.

PRIME-CKD – 18/11/2025