This study is open to adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD) that is at risk of getting worse. People who have taken a specific type of medication for kidney disease called SGLT2 inhibitor within 1 month before the study or have certain health conditions cannot take part in this study. The purpose of this study is to find out whether a medicine called vicadrostat, used in combination with another medicine called empagliflozin, works in people with chronic kidney disease.

In this study, participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups. Participants have an equal chance of being assigned to either group. In one group, participants take the 2 study medicines, vicadrostat and empagliflozin, every day for 3 months. In the other group, participants take placebo and empagliflozin for the first 1.5 months, and then they take vicadrostat and empagliflozin together for the next 1.5 months. The study medicines are taken orally as tablets. Placebo tablets look like vicadrostat tablets but do not contain any medicine.

Participants are in the study for about 4.5 months. During this time, they visit the study site multiple times. Doctors regularly test kidney function by measuring specific proteins in the blood and urine.

The results are compared between the two groups to see whether there are differences between starting the study medicines at the same time or one after the other. The doctors also regularly check participants' health and take note of any unwanted effects.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. At least 18 years old and at least of the legal age of consent in countries where it is greater than 18 years.
2. Signed and dated written informed consent in accordance with ICH-GCP and local legislation prior to admission to the trial.
3. Male or female participants. Woman of childbearing potential (WOCBP) must be ready and able to use highly effective methods of birth control per International Council on Harmonisation (ICH) M3 (R2) that result in a low failure rate of less than 1% per year when used consistently and correctly. For men, birth control is not required during the trial. A list of contraception methods meeting these criteria and instructions on the duration of use is provided in the participant information.
4. Evidence of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) at risk of progression based on two Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) measurements recorded recently (i.e. within 1 year) and at the time of Visit 1, with each Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) ≥20 and <60 mL/min/1.73m2, irrespective of urine albumin creatinine ratio (UACR). The first of these measurements will be In Approval assessed from historical local laboratory results, and the second will be determined from serum creatinine analysed by the central laboratory at Visit 1.
5. Treatment with a clinically appropriate, stable dose of either Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEi) or Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARB) (but not both together) for ≥4 weeks before Visit 1, with no planned changes of the therapy for the duration of the trial.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Treatment with an SGLT2i within 4 weeks before Visit 2. Treatment with a sodium glucose co transporter 2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) should not be interrupted with the intention of enrolment into the trial.
2. Treatment with an mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA), aldosterone synthase inhibitor (ASi), or potassium-sparing diuretic(s) within 14 days prior to Visit 1, or requiring such treatment before randomisation, or planned during the trial, based on the judgment of the investigator. Treatment with an MRA or ASi should not be interrupted with the intention of enrolment into the trial.
3. Blood potassium of >5.2 mmol/L at Visit 1.
4. Blood Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) or Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) >3x Upper limit of normal (ULN) at Visit 1.
5. Known severe hepatic impairment (i.e. Child Pugh class C cirrhosis).
6. On dialysis, functioning kidney transplant, or scheduled for transplant.
7. Treated with new immunosuppression therapy for new (or relapse/flare of pre-existing) kidney disease within the last 60 days.
8. Currently treated with systemic mineralocorticoid replacement therapy (e.g. fludrocortisone).

Further exclusion criteria apply.

Once the criteria in section 'time frame' are fulfilled, researchers can use the following link https://www.clinicalstudies.boehringer-ingelheim.com/msw/datasharing to request access to the clinical study documents regarding this study, and upon a signed "Document Sharing Agreement". Furthermore, researchers can request access to the clinical study data, for this and other listed studies, after the submission of a research proposal and according to the terms outlined in the website.

One year after the approval has been granted by major Regulatory Authorities and after the primary manuscript has been accepted for publication, or after termination of the development program.

For study documents -upon signing of a 'Document Sharing Agreement'.For study data -1. after the submission and approval of the research proposal (checks will be performed by the sponsor and/or the independent review panel, including checking that the planned analysis does not compete with sponsor'spublication plan); 2. and upon signing of a legal agreement.