Novartis' (VTX: NOVN) new post hoc analysis of the pivotal Phase III heart failure PARADIGM-HF study found that treatment with Entresto (sacubitril/valsartan) helped to preserve kidney function, the company announced on Monday.

Kidney function was assessed by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). When compared with participants treated with ACE inhibitor enalapril, HFrEF patients treated with Entresto had a slower rate of decline in eGFR.

The benefit was particularly significant with patients who also have diabetes, as in a sub-group of patients with HFrEF and diabetes the benefit was twice as high.

Heart failure is associated with both diabetes and kidney disease, with over half of all heart failure patients expected to experience moderate to severe chronic kidney disease, and up to 40% will have a diagnosis of diabetes. Diabetes also significantly increases the risk for chronic kidney disease.

The findings have been published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology.