Chronic Kidney Disease Clinical Trials in the UK (2026)
26 May 202611 min readTrialConnect Research Team
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects an estimated 7.2 million people in the UK — roughly 1 in 10 adults. Many are unaware they have it until significant kidney function has been lost. A revolution in treatment is underway: SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1 receptor agonists, originally developed for diabetes, are now proving protective for the kidneys regardless of diabetic status. Here is what is actively recruiting in the UK right now.
The UK punches well above its weight in nephrology research. The UK Kidney Association (UKKA), NIHR renal clinical study groups, and dedicated kidney research centres have created a thriving clinical trial ecosystem. Landmark UK-led trials like DAPA-CKD and EMPA-KIDNEY have changed global practice.
Currently, there are over 180 actively recruiting kidney disease trials in the UK, spanning CKD stages 1–5, dialysis populations, transplant recipients, and rare genetic kidney diseases. The pipeline is the richest it has ever been, with novel mechanisms targeting inflammation, fibrosis, and metabolic pathways.
Types of CKD Trials
Pharmacological Renoprotection
SGLT2 inhibitors, GLP-1 agonists, endothelin antagonists, and anti-fibrotic agents aimed at slowing CKD progression across all aetiologies.
Dialysis Innovation
New dialysis membranes, portable devices, home haemodialysis systems, and bioartificial kidneys. Improving quality of life for patients on dialysis.
Transplant Research
Novel immunosuppression regimens, tolerance induction, xenotransplantation, and stem cell-derived organs. Extending graft survival and reducing rejection.
Rare Kidney Diseases
Targeted therapies for IgA nephropathy, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), polycystic kidney disease (PKD), and complement-mediated diseases.
SGLT2 Inhibitors and Kidney Protection
SGLT2 inhibitors — originally diabetes drugs — have become the biggest breakthrough in kidney disease treatment in decades. The DAPA-CKD and EMPA-KIDNEY trials demonstrated that these agents reduce kidney disease progression by 30–40% regardless of diabetes status.
Current UK trials are pushing further:
Earlier use in CKD — trials testing SGLT2 inhibitors in stage 1–2 CKD to determine if starting earlier provides greater long-term benefit
Combination therapies — pairing SGLT2 inhibitors with finerenone, GLP-1 agonists, or endothelin antagonists for additive renoprotection
Paediatric CKD — extending the evidence base to children and adolescents with kidney disease
Post-transplant — evaluating SGLT2 inhibitors in kidney transplant recipients to protect the new kidney
GLP-1 Agonists and Metabolic Kidney Protection
GLP-1 receptor agonists (semaglutide, dulaglutide, tirzepatide) have shown impressive kidney-protective effects beyond their glucose-lowering and weight-loss benefits. The FLOW trial (semaglutide in diabetic kidney disease) was stopped early for overwhelming efficacy.
Active UK trials are exploring:
Semaglutide in non-diabetic CKD — extending kidney protection to patients without diabetes
Tirzepatide for CKD — the dual GIP/GLP-1 agonist showing even greater metabolic and potentially renal benefits
Combination with SGLT2 inhibitors — testing whether GLP-1 + SGLT2 provides superior protection to either alone
Dialysis Innovation Trials
For patients who have reached end-stage kidney disease, trials are improving the dialysis experience:
Portable and wearable dialysis — miniaturised devices allowing greater freedom and more frequent, gentler treatment
Extended-hours home haemodialysis — overnight dialysis at home, shown to improve outcomes compared to in-centre sessions
Bioartificial kidney devices — incorporating living kidney cells into dialysis membranes to replicate more natural kidney function
Dialysis access innovation — new vascular access devices and techniques to reduce infections and improve longevity of fistulas and grafts
Kidney Transplant Research
With over 5,000 people in the UK waiting for a kidney transplant, research into expanding the donor pool and improving outcomes is critical:
Normothermic perfusion — warming and oxygenating donor kidneys before transplantation, allowing assessment and potentially repair of marginal organs
Personalised immunosuppression — using genetic and immune profiling to tailor anti-rejection medication, reducing side effects while preventing rejection
Tolerance induction — approaches to train the immune system to accept the transplanted kidney without lifelong immunosuppression
Xenotransplantation — early-phase research into pig kidney transplants, with UK centres involved in pre-clinical and emerging clinical work
Rare and Genetic Kidney Diseases
Precision medicine is transforming treatment for rare kidney diseases:
IgA nephropathy — targeted-release budesonide (Nefecon), complement inhibitors (iptakalim, ravulizumab), and anti-apoptosis agents
Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) — tolvaptan optimisation, new vasopressin antagonists, and gene-silencing approaches
FSGS — sparsentan (dual endothelin/angiotensin receptor antagonist) and complement-targeted therapies
Alport syndrome — anti-fibrotic therapies and gene therapy approaches for this genetic kidney disease
Complement-mediated diseases — aHUS, C3 glomerulopathy, and immune complex MPGN treated with novel complement inhibitors
Who Can Participate?
Eligibility varies by trial, but common criteria include:
Confirmed CKD with documented eGFR and urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR)
Specific CKD stage requirements — some trials target early CKD (eGFR ≥45), others advanced (eGFR 15–30)
Underlying cause — diabetic nephropathy, IgA nephropathy, PKD, or other specific diagnoses
Stable current medication — typically on maximum-tolerated ACE inhibitor or ARB
Age requirements — most adult trials accept 18–80; paediatric trials available for younger patients
Willingness to attend regular monitoring visits including blood tests and urine collection
💡 Tip: Know Your Numbers
Before searching for CKD trials, gather your latest blood results: eGFR, serum creatinine, UACR, and HbA1c (if diabetic). Also note your CKD stage, underlying cause, and current medications. These are the first things trial teams will ask about.
UK CKD Trial Locations
Major UK centres running kidney disease trials include:
London — Guy's Hospital (largest UK kidney centre), Royal Free Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare, Barts Health
Leicester — Leicester General Hospital, John Walls Renal Unit
Birmingham — Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, University Hospitals Birmingham
Manchester — Manchester Royal Infirmary, Salford Royal
Edinburgh — Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
Glasgow — Queen Elizabeth University Hospital
Newcastle — Freeman Hospital, Royal Victoria Infirmary
Cardiff — University Hospital of Wales
Bristol — Southmead Hospital, Bristol Royal Infirmary
How to Find Your Match
Use our Smart Matcher to find CKD trials tailored to your stage, cause, and treatment history. Answer questions about your kidney function, medications, and health background to see the most relevant actively recruiting trials.
You can also browse our CKD condition page for a full list of recruiting studies, or explore related conditions like type 2 diabetes or hypertension if your CKD has a metabolic or cardiovascular origin.
Find CKD Trials For You
Our Smart Matcher uses your kidney function, disease stage, and treatment history to find the most relevant clinical trials.