An experimental drug therapy under development by Novartis for liver transplant patients appears to provide similar efficacy and better kidney function, compared with a drug made by Astellas Pharma, according to results of a late-stage clinical trial.

Advances in kidney care have not led to successful efforts to improve therapy for patients with Type 1 diabetes, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.

The Food and Drug Administration is allowing kidney transplant patients to use a drug for...