The Kidney Project - UCSF

[milo_miller]

Hello

Are you following UCSF's Kidney Project? As far as I understand, they are in the pre-clinical testing phase.

Do you have any estimates/expectations on how long it might take to be publicly available for implantation in CKD patients?

[jodaer]

No what are they doing?

[wheezoids21]

I read something about that recently. It hasnt been through clinical trials yet so I believe they were saying another 10 years before it's in circulation. If it gets through FDA, that is.

[SN23]

yes, and it can be a game changer. This is a project worth supporting, I listened to one of their recent q&a ( they have monthly Q&As) where they explained that they have a need of about US$ 10 million donation for timely completion and planning of the three year human trials after which they can enter the market and expect to have investor and venture capitalists supporting them to scale and go commercial. They have faced difficulties first during the financial crisis and then the pandemic. I

They have the proof of concept. Funding for which was provided by NIH but need funding support for the next phase.

[KidneyCoach NKF Ambassador]

This has been in preclinical trials for about 10 years or more. They were to do clinical trials in 2016, 2017, 2018 and so on. It is a lengthy process and they are in sore need of more funding. I imagine it will be another 10 years minimum before it's marketed. Even then many will not qualify for the device and dialysis/transplants will still be needed. JMHO

[Frankie24 in reply to KidneyCoach]

It is sad that the kidney community is not recognized for my funding for projects like this. So many suffering and in need.

[SN23 in reply to Frankie24]

It is indeed very sad and that is why we must raise awareness about the possibilities that this project holds and yet suffers from support and funding🙏

[milo_miller in reply to KidneyCoach]

10 years more… Too much

[SN23 in reply to milo_miller]

Can be sooner provided there is appropriate funding support. This is what I understood by directly listening to them and asking them.

[Marvin8]

"Ain't no money in the cure. The money's in the come-back (dialysis)." - Chris Rock

[SN23 in reply to Marvin8]

Really a sad state of affairs😢 Can we put heads together and do something about it?🙏

[Marvin8 in reply to SN23]

Not unless you can convince some multibillionaire living on dialysis to be a mega-donor to the cause. The dialysis industry lobbyists will fight it every step of the way. It's the vested corporate interests who put the kibosh on cures. That's why there aren't any.

[SN23 in reply to Marvin8]

You hit the nail on the head. Heard something similar regarding University medical research funding where wealthy individuals are donating millions for foundations in the memory of family members for other serious diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer but not so for diseases like kidney.

I know it’s disheartening but at my end I will continue to write to whoever is listening about the importance of this device and the urgent need for funding for this🙏

[Frankie24 in reply to Marvin8]

That’s the problem at it’s very core. My insurance pays $8,600 for each of my three dialysis sessions a week. They won’t pay for home help to do home hemodialysis which would be a much more affordable way to go. Sadly , because there really isn’t funding I can see why such a project could take so long. I am going to find a way to advocate but don’t hold out much hope for the future of this coming available in time enough to help me. I guess you never know but by the grace of God 🙏

[RhenDutchess123]

Too many pigs eating out of that trough...but we can hope

It is astounding the dollars paid out for Kidney Treatments ...You would think US Medicare would make sure that device would be fine tuned by now..

[SN23 in reply to RhenDutchess123]

Yes I hope with you that there is a way forward soon🙏

[Marvin8 in reply to RhenDutchess123]

The dialysis industry lobbyists will fight like crazy to prevent a device like this from coming to market, and our legislators will kneel before them. Happens every time.

[Darlenia]

I really like "The Kidney Project" and believe it may well provide a game-changing opportunity to improve the life of millions, particularly those who can't get on the transplant wait lists and so on. It's catching the attention of people worldwide - including visits from royals abroad. In the US, a large number of breakthroughs in science and technology come from the universities which have quality research labs. For example, universities developed computer technology, the Internet, and more. In this situation, UCSF is spearheading the research and development for a small artificial kidney, which continuously filters toxins inside the body and would require no immunosuppressants, and are making progress as fast as money allows. Some support has been provided by the US government and private organizations such as the AAKP, but they are looking for money from anyone willing to donate. They also have a wait list for those willing to participate in clinical trials. Here's a link that explains what they do: pharm.ucsf.edu/kidney

[rabbit01]

I first read about this must be over 10 years ago. About the same time someone else was talking about a wearable kidney. Have not seen much on either since. Personally, I would have thought the first thing to do would be to try and miniaturise an external dialysis machine. I am in UK and they are still huge and require plumbing !

[Darlenia in reply to rabbit01]

Sad, but true. I've heard from others who helped their parents on dialysis decades ago, I think it was the 1970s, who have said that the technology today is pretty much the same as then. This field is overdue for change.

[RhenDutchess123 in reply to Darlenia]

Unfortunately...Dialysis is Big Money..One of the most expensive disease to have is Kidney Disease...The Lobbyists fir Dialysis petition Washington DC all the time to keep funding from things like the Kidney Project from materializing...and in return they Donate heavily to their Campaigns

[Darlenia in reply to RhenDutchess123]

Sadly, I agree. It's an uphill climb..The situation bothers me a lot.

[RhenDutchess123 in reply to Darlenia]

Too bad some Multi Billionaire doesn't jump on board and help pull them across the finish line...they could make a small fortune relatively quickly.....Hey Elon !!

[SN23 in reply to RhenDutchess123]

So true and so sad. An all around tragedy.

[SN23 in reply to rabbit01]

Yes like you I too had heard about this many years back. So this year I started following their work/ Q&As and reached out to them on their publicly available contacts shared above and tried to understand where the project was stuck and learned of their specific funding needs.

[SN23]

Dear fatbuddy,

Thank you so much for your response. I am sure they will be delighted for your support.

The project is headed by Dr Shuvo Roy of UCSF. You can reach him on this email id:

[e-mail].

You can also find them on pharm.ucsf.edu/roy/people

They also have an FB page you can message them on that. The kidney project.

It truly will be a service to humanity🙏

PS; and let me know if you have any issues reaching them. I recently was able to talk to them using that link.

[SN23]

Thanks will explore these too. I am not directly connected with them in any way but yes believe in their works potential where there is nothing else on the horizon. My son recently had a successful live donor transplant but I know that that is not a solution or option for all/ and for all time. I also recently lost a friend who could not get a transplant after being on dialysis for many years. There is an urgent need to explore these options.

[Blackknight1989]

I am:

The Artificial Kidney Successfully Completes PreClinical Trials. Needs Additional Funding to begin Stage 1 FDA trials. 

Blackknight1989

3 months ago•23 replies.

September 9, 2021

The artificial kidney successfully implanted and worked in preclinical trials. Needs more funding but ready to start FDA trials. Could be ready for approval in 2/3 years if funded. This is truly exciting news. Here is the

link:pharmacy.ucsf.edu/news/2021...

[Jimbo63]

They been saying this for years. Not going to happen in our life time unfortunately. Big owner of Dialysis clinics ,which are doctors won't allow it

[SN23 in reply to Jimbo63]

that is why alternate sources of crowd funding/ big donors is needed.