Chronic Kidney Disease News and Research

Latest Chronic Kidney Disease News and Research

Unexplained kidney disease affecting rural workers across Central America, PRI's 'The World' reports

PRI's "The World" reports on an epidemic of an unexplained kidney disease that is affecting rural workers across Central America, writing, "[I]t's the second biggest cause of death among men in El Salvador, and in Nicaragua it's a bigger killer of men than HIV and diabetes combined," and "the latest theory is that the victims are literally working themselves to death."

14 Dec 2011

Reata, Abbott partner to develop and commercialize AIMs for chronic diseases

Abbott and Reata Pharmaceuticals today announced that they have entered into a worldwide collaboration to jointly develop and commercialize Reata's portfolio of second-generation oral antioxidant inflammation modulators.

12 Dec 2011

FDA advisory panel OKs anemia drug peginesatide

Once approved by the FDA, the once-monthly injection could capture a share of the $3 billion U.S. market for anemia drugs used for kidney dialysis patients, currently dominated by Amgen Inc's blockbuster Epogen. Affymax, which developed the drug with partner Takeda Pharmaceutical Co Ltd, is also expected to price its product below Epogen.

8 Dec 2011

Researchers reveal how podocytes may regenerate themselves during normal kidney function

Damage to podocytes -- a specialized type of epithelial cell in the kidney -- occurs in more than 90 percent of all chronic kidney disease. Now researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine have uncovered an unexpected pathway that reveals for the first time how these cells may regenerate and renew themselves during normal kidney function.

6 Dec 2011

Spectrum seeks FDA IND approval for SPI-014 to treat hyperphosphatemia

Spectrum Pharmaceuticals today announced that it has submitted an investigational new drug (IND) application to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration for SPI-014 (previously referred to as RENAZORB), a second-generation lanthanum-based nanoparticle phosphate binding agent, that has the potential to treat hyperphosphatemia in patients with Stage 5 chronic kidney disease, or end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

5 Dec 2011

Diaverum signs joint venture agreement with Nazer Group

November 2011: Diaverum, one of the world´s largest independent renal care providers, has signed a joint venture agreement with Nazer Group, a Saudi Arabian Holding Company with major investments in the medical sector including Bupa Arabia.

22 Nov 2011

Concert to initiate CTP-499 Phase 2 diabetic nephropathy clinical trial in 2012

Concert Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced data from a Phase 1 clinical trial of CTP-499, a novel agent for the potential treatment of diabetic nephropathy.

14 Nov 2011

Feraheme as safe and effective as iron sucrose in patients with anemia, CKD

AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced positive new data from the FIRST head-to-head trial comparing Feraheme (ferumoxytol) Injection for intravenous (IV) use to iron sucrose in patients with iron deficiency anemia and chronic kidney disease.

14 Nov 2011

New information on kidney-related policies in the U.S.

Two studies presented during the American Society of Nephrology's Annual Kidney Week provide new information on kidney-related policies in the United States.

14 Nov 2011

NIDDK-funded study to develop approaches for chronic kidney disease management

Cleveland Clinic nephrologist Joseph Nally Jr., M.D., has been awarded a three-year, $720,000 grant from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) to study and develop approaches for disease management for patients with chronic kidney disease.

14 Nov 2011

Sitagliptin as safe and effective as glipizide in patients with type 2 diabetes, CKD

Some blood-sugar-lowering drugs have caused kidney problems in patients with type 2 diabetes, so physicians are especially cautious when prescribing these agents to diabetics who also have chronic kidney disease.

14 Nov 2011

Salt – is it bad for the heart? Debate continues

Salt or high sodium intake in diet has drawn attention of researchers for a while now. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration held a day-long hearing today, discussing strategies to help Americans cut the salt from their diets as a latest attempt to curb sodium in the American diet.

13 Nov 2011

Updates on dietary benefits and dangers in kidney disease patients

Two studies presented during the American Society of Nephrology's Annual Kidney Week provide new information on dietary benefits and dangers in kidney disease patients.

11 Nov 2011

Aristolochic acid leads to kidney failure, upper urinary tract cancer

Aristolochic acid, a component of a plant used in herbal remedies since ancient times and still used in certain herbal medicines worldwide, leads to kidney failure and upper urinary tract cancer in individuals exposed to the toxin.

10 Nov 2011

MILV subsidiary acquires formula to restore proper kidney function

Nature's Bioceuticals, a wholly owned subsidiary of Mistral Ventures Inc. announced that it has executed the formal closing documents and acquired the chronic kidney disease formula. This formula was developed to restore proper kidney function.

7 Nov 2011

HeRO graft device provides long-term AV access for hemodialysis patients

University Hospitals Case Medical Center physicians are utilizing a novel approach to solve a long standing problem for chronic kidney disease patients on hemodialysis.

5 Nov 2011

VA announces 13 new awards in 2010 Industry Innovation Competition

The Department of Veterans Affairs today announced 13 new awards in the agency's 2010 Industry Innovation Competition. The new projects will give VA an opportunity to evaluate new ways to enhance care and benefits for Veterans.

5 Nov 2011

Merck’s cholesterol lowering drug gets FDA panel’s vote

A health advisors’ panel have unanimously backed the use of Merck & Co's cholesterol-lowering drug Vytorin for preventing stroke and other heart problems in patients with chronic kidney disease, but only in those patients not yet on dialysis. The panel voted 16-0 during a meeting today in Silver Spring, Maryland.

3 Nov 2011

FDA EMDAC votes to recommend approval of Merck's VYTORIN for pre-dialysis CKD

Merck, known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, announced today that the Endocrinologic and Metabolic Drugs Advisory Committee of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) unanimously voted to recommend approval of Merck's VYTORIN (ezetimibe/simvastatin) for use in patients with pre-dialysis chronic kidney disease.

3 Nov 2011

Hospitalized diabetic patients with acute kidney injury more likely to develop CKD

Findings from a recent University of Cincinnati (UC) and Cincinnati Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center study show that multiple episodes of acute kidney injury during hospital stays for patients with diabetes are associated with a risk for developing chronic kidney disease.

2 Nov 2011