This study is conducted to see how the ziltivekimab works in the body of Chinese people with chronic kidney disease and systemic inflammation. Participants will either get ziltivekimab (active medicine) or placebo (a dummy medicine which has no effect on the body. Participants' chance of getting ziltivekimab or placebo is the same.

Participants will get their study medicine in a pre-filled syringe. The study doctor or staff will do 3 injections of study medicine during clinical visits.

The study is expected to last for about 6 months. Participants will have blood and urine samples taken at all of the clinic visits. Participants will have their heart examined using electrodes (electrocardiogram).

Women cannot take part if pregnant, breast-feeding or planning to get pregnant during the study period.

Inclusion criteria:

1. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) greater than or equal 15 and less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m^2 [Millilitre/minute] (using the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) creatinine equation)
2. Serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) greater than or equal to 2 mg/L [Milligram Per Litre] at screening (visit 1).

Exclusion criteria:

Laboratory values

1. Absolute neutrophil count less than 2×10^9/Litre at screening (visit 1).
2. Platelet count less than 120×10^9/Litre at screening (visit 1).
3. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) or aspartate aminotransferase (AST) greater than 2.5 × upper limit of normal at screening (visit 1).

Medical conditions

1. Clinical evidence of, or suspicion of, active infection at the discretion of the investigator.
2. History of gastrointestinal perforation. (Note: History of perforated appendicitis more than 5 years prior to screening (visit 1) is not exclusionary).
3. History of active diverticulitis in the 5 years prior to randomization (visit 2).
4. History of inflammatory bowel disease that has been clinically active during the 12 months prior to randomization (visit 2).
5. Myocardial infarction, stroke, hospitalization for unstable angina pectoris, or transient ischemic attack within 60 days prior to randomization (visit 2).
6. Planned coronary, carotid or peripheral artery revascularization known on the day of screening (visit 1).
7. Major cardiac surgical, non-cardiac surgical, or major endoscopic procedure (thoracoscopic or laparoscopic) within the past 60 days prior to randomization (visit 2) or any major surgical procedure planned at the time of randomization (visit 2). Prior or current medication

1. Use of preventive systemic antibiotics, systemic antivirals, or systemic antifungals at screening (visit 1). (Note: "Systemic" is defined as oral or intravenous (i.v.) administered drugs that are absorbed into the circulation).

2. Use of systemic immunosuppressive drugs (both small molecules and biologics) or biologic disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs including both biologic DMARDs like anti-TNF-alpha and conventional DMARDs like methotrexate) at screening (visit 1) or anticipated chronic use of such drugs any time during the study. (Note: Use of otic, ophthalmic, inhaled, and topical corticosteroids or local corticosteroid injections are not exclusionary).

According to the Novo Nordisk disclosure commitment on novonordisk-trials.com

Sponsor staff involved in the clinical trial is masked according to company standard procedures.