Newswise — San Diego, CA (October 25, 2018)—Kidney disease is an under-recognized epidemic affecting more than 850 million people world-wide, including approximately 40 million Americans.
In the US there are 570,000 patients with very advanced kidney disease who require dialysis. This treatment, however, as currently administered, has changed little in the 60 years since it was introduced. While life-saving, it usually leaves patients with substantial morbidity and a shortened life expectancy. In the search for new ways to support these patients, the American Society of Nephrology’s (ASN) Kidney Health Initiative (KHI) today went live with its Technology Roadmap for Innovative Approaches to Renal Replacement Therapy (RRT). Developed by a multidisciplinary team of experts led by Joseph V. Bonventre, MD, PhD, the release comes during ASN’s Kidney Week 2018 currently underway in San Diego, California.
In 2016, KHI submitted a commitment statement to the White House Summit on Organ Donation to “identify the scientific, technical, and regulatory milestones needed to achieve the goal of creating a bioengineered alternative to dialysis as renal replacement therapy”—in other words, to create a roadmap as a catalyst for industry, academia, and other organizations to invest in and develop patient-centered, patient-driven alternatives to dialysis as RRT.
The RRT Roadmap begins with patient-centered imperatives to improve quality of life and increase lifespan. The Roadmap defines functions of the kidney that must be replaced, establishing relevant design requirements to ensure standard minimum technical expectations. The Roadmap identifies areas of research and development that could enhance interest, innovation and investment by various public and private organizations. It also encourages multidisciplinary collaboration and multiple potential solution pathways with milestones and time projections.
“Creating innovative advanced therapies for those in renal failure is critically important. We owe it to our patients,” Bonventre said. “This Roadmap identifies challenges and opportunities and encourages diversity of thought and attraction of expertise from various scientific and engineering communities. A key component of the Roadmap is regulatory agency involvement,” he added.
Established in September 2012 under a Memorandum of Understanding between ASN and US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Kidney Health Initiative includes more than 90 organizations. KHI members include biotechnology and pharmaceutical firms, device manufacturers, dialysis providers, foundations, patient and health professional organizations, research institutions, plus U.S. and international government agencies. A September 30-day open comment period of the draft Roadmap allowed for public input on the Roadmap.
Located at kidneyhealthinitiative.org, the Roadmap is intended to spur interest, investment, and innovation in the RRT field. As a living document, updates are expected at regular intervals as the science and technology in this area advances.
About ASN Kidney Week 2018
ASN Kidney Week 2018, the largest nephrology meeting of its kind, will provide a forum for more than 13,000 professionals to discuss the latest findings in kidney health research and engage in educational sessions related to advances in the care of patients with kidney and related disorders. Kidney Week 2018 will take place October 23 – October 28 at the San Diego Convention Center.
About the American Society of Nephrology
Since 1966, ASN has been leading the fight to prevent, treat, and cure kidney diseases throughout the world by educating health professionals and scientists, advancing research and innovation, communicating new knowledge, and advocating for the highest quality care for patients. ASN has more than 20,000 members representing 131 countries. For more information, please visit www.asn-online.org or contact us at 202-640-4660.
###
MEDIA CONTACT
Register for reporter access to contact detailsCITATIONS
ASN Kidney Week 2018 October 23–October 28, 2018
RSS