Chronic Kidney Disease News and Research

Latest Chronic Kidney Disease News and Research

One type of open heart surgery is likely safer than the other for CKD patients

One type of open heart surgery is likely safer than the other for chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients, according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN).

18 May 2012

Renal denervation can effectively reduce blood pressure in CKD patients with hypertension

Disrupting certain nerves in the kidneys can safely and effectively lower blood pressure in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and hypertension, according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.

18 May 2012

Positive results from Cytochroma CTAP101 Phase 2b clinical trial for CKD

Cytochroma today announced positive clinical trial results for its lead product, CTAP101 Capsules. In a recently completed Phase 2b trial, CTAP101 Capsules effectively and safely lowered elevated plasma intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) in patients with Stage 3 or 4 chronic kidney disease (CKD) and vitamin D insufficiency.

11 May 2012

A Better Method for Diagnosing Kidney Disease

Assessing glomerular filtration rate (GFR) using kidney filtration markers in blood is the standard means for determining kidney function, diagnosing kidney disease and measuring its progression. A higher filtration rate indicates healthy kidney function, while a lower rate points to various stages of kidney disease. A new study led by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that the new CKD-EPI equation for calculating GFR is a better predictor of risk for kidney disease and death compared to the most widely used method. The findings suggest that switching to the CKD-EPI equation for calculating GFR could focus efforts more efficiently, and improve assessment of patient future risk and treatment of kidney disease. The study is published in the May 9 edition of JAMA.

10 May 2012

CKD-EPI equation may provide more accurate risk prediction of death, ESRD

Kamyar Kalantar-Zadeh, M.D., M.P.H., Ph.D., principal investigator at the Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center (LA BioMed), is the author of an invited editorial in JAMA. The editorial accompanied a study that included data from more than 1 million adults, and indicated the use of a newer risk prediction equation that classified fewer individuals as having chronic kidney disease and more accurately categorized the risk for death and end-stage renal disease.

9 May 2012

Abbott to purchase AP214 hormone analogue from Action Pharma

Abbott and Action Pharma A/S, a privately owned company, today announced that they have entered into an agreement in which Abbott will acquire AP214 from Action Pharma.

4 May 2012

Teens with high levels of uric acid at increased risk for high blood pressure

Teens with high levels of uric acid appear to be at increased risk for high blood pressure, according to results of research from scientists at the Johns Hopkins Children's Center.

30 Apr 2012

EMA CHMP recommends approval of AMAG’s ferumoxytol

AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced that the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has issued a positive opinion for the approval of ferumoxytol, an intravenous (IV) iron therapy, for the treatment of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in adult patients with chronic kidney disease.

21 Apr 2012

Tengion completes FDA Pre-IND meeting for Neo-Kidney Augment preclinical program

Tengion, Inc., a leader in regenerative medicine, today announced that it recently completed a successful Pre-IND meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its lead preclinical program, the Neo-Kidney Augment.

18 Apr 2012

Surgery to remove only the tumor preferable to removing entire kidney

Kidney cancer patients who had only their tumor removed had better survival than patients who had their entire kidney removed, according to a new study from researchers at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center.

18 Apr 2012

Amgen enters agreement to acquire KAI Pharmaceuticals

Amgen and KAI Pharmaceuticals today announced an agreement under which Amgen will acquire KAI, a privately held pharmaceutical company based in South San Francisco.

11 Apr 2012

DaVita introduces Kidney Smart website for patients with CKD

DaVita Inc., a leading provider of kidney care services that is committed to improving the quality of life for those diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD), today announced the launch of its Kidney Smart website, for anyone with questions about CKD.

10 Apr 2012

Aristolochic acid exposure leads to kidney failure and UUC

Aristolochic acid (AA), a component of a plant used in herbal remedies since ancient times, leads to kidney failure and upper urinary tract cancer (UUC) in individuals exposed to the toxin.

10 Apr 2012

Akebia completes AKB-6548 Phase 2 study for anemia in CKD patients

Akebia Therapeutics, Inc., a pharmaceutical discovery and development company focused on anemia and vascular disorders, today announced that it has successfully completed a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled Phase 2 dose-ranging study of AKB-6548 in patients with stage 3 and 4 chronic kidney disease (CKD).

6 Apr 2012

ASN participates in ABIM Foundation's Choosing Wisely campaign

The American Society of Nephrology (ASN), the world's leading kidney organization, joins the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Foundation, eight other leading national medical specialty societies, and Consumer Reports in the new Choosing Wisely campaign that helps health care professionals and patients avoid wasteful and sometimes harmful medical interventions.

5 Apr 2012

AlloCure closes $25 million Series B venture financing

AlloCure, Inc., a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on the treatment of kidney disease, today announced the closing of a $25 million Series B venture financing.

2 Apr 2012

ChemoCentryx fourth quarter revenues increase to $26.1 million

ChemoCentryx, Inc. announced today its financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2011.

31 Mar 2012

DaVita thanks nearly 1,500 renal social workers during NASW

DaVita Inc., a leading provider of kidney care services that is committed to improving the quality of life for those diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD), today thanks its nearly 1,500 social workers for the value and care they provide to patients and their families.

29 Mar 2012

Althea provides Allena exclusive worldwide rights to broad hyperoxaluria portfolio

Allena Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and Althea Technologies today announced a licensing agreement under which Allena has obtained the exclusive worldwide rights to Althea's broad hyperoxaluria portfolio including product patents, regulatory information and development data related to oxalate degrading enzymes.

29 Mar 2012

FDA approves Omontys - new anemia drug for chronic kidney disease patients

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Tuesday approved a new drug called Omontys (peginesatide). This is expected to oust Amgen Inc.’s from its near monopoly in the roughly $6 billion U.S. anemia treatment market.

28 Mar 2012