Innovation for dialysis has a major impact on the lives of patients with end stage kidney failure. The Biohybrid Kidney XB Program group is seeking partnerships with companies interested in co-developing membrane technology, (synthetic) cell technology, material sciences and micro electromechanical systems for (semi-) implantable artificial kidneys and similar devices.
Biohybrid Kidney XB (Crossing Borders)
Biohybrid Kidney XB (Crossing Borders) aims to build a cross-disciplinary public-private collaboration for the development of a biohybrid kidney that can (partially) replace native kidney functions in patients with kidney failure. Key partners are the UMC Utrecht, Utrecht University, University of Twente and Imec, leveraging expertise in regenerative medicine, membrane technology and micro-electromechanical systems.
Kidney failure is a life-threatening condition that requires chronic kidney replacement therapy. Of the ~4 million people receiving kidney replacement therapy the majority is on hemodialysis, a treatment that purifies the blood through an artificial kidney. However, hemodialysis replaces only 10% of the native kidney function and has a poor outcome. The average life expectancy is 5-10 years. Patients require several hours of treatment in a clinic at least three times per week. Hemodialysis is also one of the most resource-intensive chronic treatments, consuming 2-3% of national healthcare budgets in the Western world and considerable amounts of water, energy and plastic.
The final goal is to engineer a biohybrid kidney capable of continuous function inside the body, improving treatment quality and liberating dialysis patients from extracorporeal equipment and regular hospital visits. The biohybrid kidney makes kidney replacement therapy sustainable for the future. It will include a hemocompatible nanoporous filter for hemofiltration, and (synthetic) cells for reabsorption of water and useful solutes from the filtrate while secreting toxic waste molecules that are poorly removed by conventional dialysis. Intermediate goal is an implantable hemodialysis filter enabling needle-free hemodialysis at home, considerably lowering the treatment burden for patients.
The program is an open tender for high tech companies to co-develop biohybrid artificial kidney technology. A matchmaking event will be organized early in 2025. Project- and valorisation plans will be monitored by an independent expert committee of the Dutch Kidney Foundation and RegMedXB. Please contact Jasper Boomker (jasperboomker@nierstichting.nl) for more information.