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AAKP announces plan to join research efforts to develop artificial kidney
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The American Association of Kidney Patients announced plans to join patient research efforts for The Kidney Project. According to a press release from the association, the Kidney Project is a cutting-edge national research initiative that is accelerating the creation of a small, surgically implanted and free-standing bio-artificial kidney to treat ESRD.
Alongside Kidney Project leads Shuvo Roy, PhD, technical director at the University of California, San Francisco, and William H. Fissell, MD, medical director at Vanderbilt University, the AAKP Center for Patient Research and Education will provide patient insights. Initially, AAKP will deploy a comprehensive online survey to obtain unique qualitative and quantitative data on patient preference, perception and risk tolerance for new and innovated therapies such as wearable and implantable devices.
“The AAKP partnership with The Kidney Project formalizes an already strong relationship among Dr. Shuvo Roy and Dr. William H. Fissell, AAKP leadership and our Center for Patient Research and Education. Kidney patients refuse to settle with the dialysis status quo and want a substantive role in bringing artificial implantable technologies into the market since these devices could better enable them to pursue their aspirations, including full-time work,” Paul T. Conway, AAKP president, said in the release. Conway is a transplant recipient and a former chief of staff of the U. S. Department of Labor.
“With the severe shortage of donor kidneys, the vast majority of ESRD patients must rely on dialysis. The bio-artificial kidney will provide these patients an alternative treatment that will free them from the tether of a dialysis machine and allow them to eat and drink freely,” Fissell said in the release. Roy added, “The unique construction of the implantable device using silicon membranes will provide continuous removal of toxins from blood and also alleviate the need for immunosuppressants.”
“Dr. Shuvo Roy and Dr. Fissell are vigorous patient advocates dedicated to transforming kidney care for current patients and those yet to be diagnosed. AAKP is committed to helping The Kidney Project navigate policy issues within the executive branch and Congress necessary to make this effort a reality,” Richard Knight, AAKP vice president and chair of public policy, said in the release. Knight is a transplant patient and a veteran of Capitol Hill, with experience working on business and health issues with the Congressional Black Caucus.
Reference:
https://aakp.org/press-release/largest-kidney-patient-group-backs-artificial-kidney-development/