KidneyX celebrates artificial kidney innovation, maintains focus on health equity
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The 2021 KidneyX Summit – held virtually again this year – serves as a celebration of innovation in kidney failure treatments, while also presenting attendees with an opportunity to recommit to health equity, according to a speaker.
“We are here today to celebrate the burgeoning innovation in kidney care, from the lab to the clinic, that has been driven by people with kidney diseases in partnership with the clinical and scientific kidney communities,” John Sedor, MD, FASN, kidney physician at the Cleveland Clinic and chair of the KidneyX Steering Committee, told the audience. “Today, we are announcing the winners of phase one of the artificial kidney prize and signaling to the public and private sectors that the kidney community is driving needed change for people with kidney diseases.”
Sedor addressed the goals of the artificial kidney prize, noting the competition was designed to accelerate the development of kidney failure therapies that “provide transformational treatment options beyond current dialysis methods.”
According to Sedor, there is a broad interest in developing solutions for patients with kidney failure, as evidenced by submissions from innovators around the world (represented countries include Canada, Israel, Japan, the Netherlands, Portugal, Singapore, South Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States).
Despite the optimism gained from worldwide recognition of the need for improved treatments, Sedor said kidney disease remains a “glaring example” of a health disparity.
“This has been and remains unacceptable. Given that, I would be remiss if I didn’t comment on the events since last year’s KidneyX Summit,” Sedor said. “The COVID-19 pandemic continues disproportionately affecting Black and brown people; our capitol was attacked by forces which have institutionalized and perpetuated the structural racism and social disparities that they’re battling to keep.”
However, Sedor said he believes that “effort is doomed,” pointing to the many counter voices in the health care community that have demanded equity in all domains. According to Sedor, KidneyX continues its commitment to health equity and seeks to ensure the innovations developed throughout the prize competitions will be available to all patients who could benefit.
“Together, with each of you, we will accelerate the advances so deserved by the millions of people with kidney diseases,” Sedor said. “Today is a celebration of our progress in aiding that commitment, but it’s also an opportunity to identify and commit again to the actions that will be necessary to continue our forward momentum.”
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Sedor J. Welcome to KidneyX Summit. Presented at: KidneyX Summit; Sept. 9, 2021 (virtual meeting).
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