Highlights• The Kidney Health Initiative (KHI) is seeking input from patients with kidney disease and their family members on future treatment options. • The perspectives gathered in this new KHI project will help inform development of therapeutics and devices for kidney disease, which affects more than 20 million Americans.

KHI is a public-private partnership between ASN and the FDA to advance kidney health issues

Newswise — Washington, DC (April 6, 2015) — The Kidney Health Initiative (KHI) is seeking input from patients and their families on new treatment options to reduce the burden of kidney disease, which affects more than 20 million Americans. Through a series of webinars and conference calls, participants can share their perspectives and preferences for future therapies for kidney disease, the 9th leading cause of death in the United States. These patient preference forums are the latest project from KHI, a public-private partnership between the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to advance kidney health issues.

Participants will learn about the FDA’s role in drug and device development, and how the agency will use their ideas to help guide new treatments and products that meet patient needs. The webinars will take place on:

Tuesday, April 14 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. EDTWednesday, April 22 8:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. EDTFriday, April 24 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. EDT

To participate, interested individuals must register by completing a brief survey no later than a day before their preferred time and date. The survey is available at http://asn.kdny.info/L8Q6f.

Participants may be asked to attend a future workshop to share their ideas directly with the FDA, scientists, doctors, nurses and technicians. More information on the workshop, including the opportunity for travel support, will be provided at a later date.

Established in 2012, KHI’s mission is to advance scientific understanding of the kidney health and patient safety implications of new and existing medical products and to foster development of new therapies. More than 70 KHI member organizations and companies represent all major stakeholders in the field of kidney disease, including patient and health professional organizations, pharmaceutical companies, device manufacturers, dialysis providers, research institutions, and federal agencies.

For further information on the patient preference webinars or KHI, visit http://www.kidneyhealthinitiative.org or email [email protected].

Established in 2012, the Kidney Health Initiative (KHI) is a public-private partnership between ASN and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to advance kidney health issues through a collaboration of patients, health care professionals, scientists, and industry.

Founded in 1966, and with more than 15,000 members, the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) leads the fight against kidney disease by educating health professionals, sharing new knowledge, advancing research, and advocating the highest quality care for patients.

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