Novel non-thrombogenic membranes for removal of middle-sized molecules and protein-bound solutes from blood. Acronym: NOVAMEM

The NOVAMEM project was focused on the development of new membranes for improved treatment of patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and it was executed via a unique public private partnership of the University of Twente, Radboud UMC, UMC Utrecht, Aspen Oss B.V and Neokidney B.V.

For the ESRD patients the best solution by far is kidney transplantation. However, since the average time on the transplant waiting list for a diseased donor kidney is 4 years, most of these patients rely on (hemo) dialysis (HD) treatment. However, this HD therapy is discontinuous requiring patients to visit the dialysis center several times a week and therefore it is a huge burden for the patient. Besides, it achieves incomplete toxin removal leading to high patient mortality.

The project developed new hemocompatible high flux membranes which combined filtration and adsorption and offered superior removal of protein bound toxins in vitro from human plasma and full blood. The optimal membrane hemocompatibility was achieved by blending of novel glycosaminoglycans. Due to its smart and compact design the novel membranes could be incorporated into a new portable artificial kidney device and facilitate implementation of continuous therapy. The project has also developed a small animal model for studying membrane dialyzers which can find broad future application.