Prize Winners
All KidneyX Prize Winners
Winner Spotlight
Alio: Remote Monitoring Platform to Reduce COVID-19 Risk for Hemodialysis Patients
COVID-19 Kidney Care Challenge
Artificial Kidney Prize, Phase 2: Track One (2 Winners)
Track One of the Artificial Kidney Prize advances bioartificial kidney prototypes toward first-in-human studies
- Winning Solution: Renal Xenograft Phase 2: Solving the Donor Kidney ShortageMatt Tector, MD, Makana Therapeutics, Inc.
- Winning Solution: Alemtuzumab Induction Therapy In Monkeys With Life-supporting Pig Kidney TransplantsDavid Cooper, MD, PhD, FRCS, Massachusetts General Hospital
Artificial Kidney Prize, Phase 2: Track Two (6 winners)
Track Two of the Artificial Kidney Prize supports the creation of enabling tools for artificial kidney platform development
- Winning Solution: Immunoprotective Bioreactor for Kidney Cell EncapsulationShuvo Roy, PhD, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
- Winning Solution: Bioengineered Therapies for Patients with Kidney FailureBen Shepherd, PhD, Trestle Biotherapeutics
- Winning Solution: Manufacturing and System Dynamics Tools Enabling Autonomous Blood Purification ImplantsHarald Ott, MD, IVIVA Medical Inc.
- Winning Solution: 3D Vascularized Biomimetic Renal Construct Platform for Accelerated Vascular IntegrationAnthony Atala, MD, Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine
- Winning Solution: Draining Artificial Kidneys by Connecting Synchronized Nephrons to Synthetic OrganizersNils Lindström, PhD, The University of Southern California
- Winning Solution: Engineering Bioartificial Kidneys: Combining Kidney Organoids and Peritoneal DialysisWilliam Chang, MD, PhD, Yale University School of Medicine
Artificial Kidney Prize, Phase 1 (6 winners)
This competition helped accelerate the development of artificial kidneys toward human clinical trials
- Genetically Engineered Pig Kidney XenotransplantationDavid K.C. Cooper; Massachusetts General HospitalGenetically engineered pig kidneys that will reduce rejection possibility while providing more viable donor kidneys
- MI-TRAM: Smart Module for Implantable, Wearable, Portable, or Bedside Artificial KidneysFokko Wieringa; IMEC - NetherlandsMiniature, wireless toxin-removal system for implantable, wearable, portable, or bedside artificial kidneys
- Xenotransplantation: A Treatment for Kidney FailureMatt Tector; Makana Therapeutics Genetically engineered pig kidneys that will increase the supply of transplantable organs by eliminating the antibody barrier to xenotransplantation
- iBAK – Implantable Bio-Artificial Kidney for Continuous Renal Replacement TherapyShuvo Roy; The Kidney Project, UCSFImplantable bioartificial kidney that allows for continuous blood processing and direction of waste to the bladder while providing freedom of movement
- The Wearable AKTIV: Artificial Kidney to Improve VitalityJonathan Himmelfarb; University of Washington Center for Dialysis Innovation (CDI)Wearable continuous-hemodialysis device that allows for greater freedom of movement
- Development of a Dialysate-Free Waterless Portable and Implantable Artificial KidneyIra Kurtz; US Kidney Research CorporationWearable artificial kidney that does not need water to conduct filtration, drastically reducing the weight of the device
COVID-19 Kidney Care Challenge (15 winners)
This competition strove to reduce transmission among people with kidney diseases and/or the risk of kidney damage in those who contract it
- Remote Monitoring Platform to Reduce COVID-19 Risk for Hemodialysis PatientsAlioAn end-to-end remote monitoring platform for proactive, noninvasive monitoring of hemodialysis patients
- Free E-Learning Platform with CKD and COVID-19 Patient EducationDocolaA free, web-based learning platform for e-prescribing COVID-19 patient educational resources on chronic kidney disease and reducing COVID-19 transmission
- Immediate Rooming for PatientsGretta Weindorf, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC; Kidney Care SpecialistsA logistics solution that uses existing technology to room patients directly, thereby reducing the transmission of COVID-19 and risk of exposure in waiting rooms
- Canopy: The Next Generation Reusable RespiratorCanopyA transparent, reusable respirator with interchangeable filter cores and a silicone face seal
- Characterizing and Targeting Vaccine Hesitancy Among End-Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD) PatientsDr. Lama Nazzal, NYU Langone HealthProject to characterize determinants of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in a diverse ESKD population and perform interventions to increase vaccine acceptance
- COVID-19 in Translation: Making Patient Education Accessible to MinoritiesCleveland Minority Organ and Tissue Transplant Education Program (MOTTEP)COVID-19 pandemic education kits distributed at dialysis care facilities in areas with a high social vulnerability index
- The ‘Good Humoral’ Immunity Truck and Freezer ProjectNorthwest Kidney CentersRetrofitted, freezer-equipped, mobile immunization units to provide vaccines in urban, suburban, and rural settings
- Development of Telemedicine-Enhanced Peritoneal Dialysis Training Protocols During COVID-19The Rogosin InstituteVirtual peritoneal dialysis training to minimize potential COVID-19 exposure
- RenaVis Mixed Reality Telehealth and Telemonitoring SystemCADISMixed reality smart glasses supporting kidney disease management through telehealth and telemonitoring
- Patient-Centered Monitoring and Intervention During the COVID-19 PandemicDemetra Tsapepas, PharmD, MBA, BCPS, FAST; New York-PresbyterianProactive structured workflow to monitor and manage patients with kidney transplants during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Dashboards to Facilitate COVID-19 Disaster ResponseJacob Stevens, MD; Assistant Professor of Medicine at Columbia University Irving Medical CenterCustomized data management tools to reduce virus transmission in healthcare settings and maximize the number of patients receiving kidney replacement therapy
- Remote Treatment Monitoring with the Tablo Hemodialysis SystemOutset MedicalCloud-based remote monitoring of the Tablo Hemodialysis System that enables clinicians to track critical treatment parameters in real time during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Dialysis Facility Safety Validation with Rapid COVID-19 SequencingParaic Kenny, PhD; Gundersen Medical FoundationGenetic sequencing of COVID-19 cases to determine patterns of spread and inform infection control practices
- Pool Testing of Used Masks for Timely Diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2Renal Research InstitutePool testing of used masks from hemodialysis patients and clinic staff to identify SARS-CoV-2
- StockMyPantry: Renal-Friendly Grocery Delivery for Kidney PatientsWinnie Cheng, PhDDelivery of dietician-recommended groceries for dialysis and transplant patients in need
Redesign Dialysis, Phase 2 (6 winners)
This competition focused on prototype solutions or solution components that could replicate normal kidney functions or improve dialysis access.
- A Bioresorbable Shape Memory Polymer Wrap to Improve Maturation and Patency of Dialysis Access SitesTimothy Boire, PhD; VenostentSelfWrap provides a personalized fit to an individual patient's unique geometry to prevent fistula and graft failures and minimize catheter reliance
- Nitricap: Nitric Oxide-Eluting, Disposable Hemodialysis Catheter Cap to Prevent Infection and ThrombosisAlexander Yevzlin, MD; Nitricap MedicalCatheter device that delivers nitric oxide to disinfect the catheter connection to reduce the risk of infection and prevent blood clots
- Developing Self-Renewable “Living” Endothelium Vascular Grafts for HemodialysisAijun Wang, PhD; VasoBioSelf-renewable coating that functions like living tissue to help maintain vein health and longer-lasting vascular grafts
- iHemo – Intracorporeal Hemodialysis SystemsShuvo Roy, PhD; The Kidney ProjectImplantable device that connects to an external recirculation pump, allowing patients to perform dialysis safely and more frequently while asleep at home
- A Pro-Regenerative Vascular Access Graft: Surmounting Challenges Inhibiting ProgressBuddy Ratner, PhD; Center for Dialysis InnovationVascular access with a porous synthetic graft intended to make the blood-cleansing process safer, more reliable, and less painful
- A Novel Device to Prevent Infection Due to Touch Contamination in Peritoneal DialysisSarah Lee, Relavo LLCDevice to reduce risk of infection for home peritoneal dialysis by disinfecting connection tubes and eliminating contamination
Patient Innovator Challenge (25 Winners)
This competition allowed people with kidney diseases to propose experienced-based ideas for improving therapeutic options and quality of life (sponsored by the National Kidney Foundation)
- Category 1 – Solutions already tried or put into practice
- Ann Chokas of Great Neck, NY, for designing a smartphone app to monitor blood test results.
- Chris Jaynes of Cardiff-by-the-sea, CA, for creating a way to extend the life of a kidney removed for transplantation to give surgeons more time to access the organ.
- Deepa Kariyawasam of London, England, for creating kidney patient diet booklets geared toward minority cuisine.
- David Kuraguntla of South San Francisco, CA, for creating a device to monitor fluid levels in dialysis patients.
- Sarah Lee of Baltimore, MD, for creating a device that disinfects tubing for peritoneal dialysis.
- Robert Richter of Coconut Creek, FL, for creating a device to help a one-handed veteran administer home dialysis.
- Chelsea Roman of Sacramento, CA, for creating a 3D-printable wrist cuff to secure needles used in home dialysis.
- Lana Schmidt of Liberty, IL, for using a state-funded home aide program to hire someone to help her with home dialysis.
- Deborah Stanzak of Twinsburg, OH, for creating clothing suited for dialysis patients.
- John Vito of Rochester, NY, for creating a video cooking series for end-stage kidney failure patients.
- Category 2 – Ideas for solutions not yet created
- Brian Bender of Raleigh, NC, for a home-use device in development to track sodium levels in urine.
- Andrew Brookens of Denver, CO, for a proposal to open a home dialysis education center to train patients.
- Chandra Chhun of McDonough, GA, for a proposal to develop an online platform to help home dialysis patients.
- Anthony Clark of Wilmington, DE, for a proposal to create kidney food labels for kidney patients.
- Jaclyn Giannakoulis of Stoughton, MA, to develop a program to rent home dialysis cyclers for patients when they travel.
- Nieltje Gedney of Kearneysville, WV, to develop a toolkit for home dialysis patients to give real-time feedback.
- Varun Goyal of Carmel, IN, to develop an app to help transplant patients keep track of their medicines.
- Lonnie Green of Kennesaw, GA, to develop a peer mentorship program for dialysis patients.
- Mary Lou Hurley of Bloomingdale, NJ, to create a handout about transplants for patients to give to emergency room professionals.
- Daniel Marsh of Baton Rouge, LA, to develop an “open chair” app to help patients find a real-time dialysis center that has an immediate opening.
- Sandeep Padala of Augusta, GA, to develop help from dialysis patients who are released from prison.
- Emmett Smith of Seattle, WA, to develop a device to help with dialysis catheters.
- Ben Studdard of Nashville, TN, to create music videos to teach patients about medical terms.
- Cher Thomas of Galveston, TX, to develop a program to link dentists with patients on the transplant waitlist.
- Joyce Vergili of Kingston, NY, to create a device to monitor blood potassium levels.
Redesign Dialysis, Phase 1 (15 winners)
This competition proposed solutions or solution components of next-generation dialysis products to improve patient quality of life
- An Air Removal System or a Wearable Renal Therapy DeviceMorteza Ahmadi and Clarence Graansma, Qidni LabsAn automatic air removal system that can be used safely in a wearable renal therapy device with minimal user intervention
- A Non-Invasive, Wearable Telehealth Device to Detect Thrombosis and Monitor Vascular Access Health of Arteriovenous Fistulas and Grafts in Hemodialysis PatientsVinay Narasimha Krishna, Mohammad R. Haider, and Steven D. Gardner, University of Alabama at BirminghamA sensor-based wearable device to detect hemodialysis vascular access clotting in real time to expedite time to intervention, thereby reducing morbidity and mortality
- Atomically Precise Membranes (APM) for High-Flux and Selective Removal of Blood ToxinsChristian Schafmeister, Yihui Xie, and Avner Ronen, Temple UniversityChemically synthesized, atomically precise membranes that can be as thin as a single molecule that mimic the highly permeable and selective membrane channels present in human cells
- Building New KidneysMiromatrix Medical Inc.Using multiple patented technologies, Miromatrix is working to bioengineer new kidney grafts that consist of human cells grown in pig extracellular matrix (ECM) scaffolds.
- Development of a Dialysate- and Cell-Free Renal Replacement TechnologyIra Kurtz, UCLA; Roland Ludlow, Curion Research Corporation; Jamie Hestekin, University of ArkansasNovel technology for use in KRT devices that employs ultrafiltration and ion/water transport capabilities but does not use external water/dialysate or living cells
- Development of an Automated Multimodal Sensor to Improve Patient Outcomes in HemodialysisOutset MedicalAutomated means of monitoring important physiological parameters during hemodialysis particularly for use in in-home or in-center self-care hemodialysis
- Digitally Delivered Behavior Change Program to Help Patients Delay DialysisBinnovate Digital Health BVA cost-effective, patient-centered, digital therapeutic that aims for the best possible individual prognosis for each CKD patient, as well as to delay dialysis in ESRD patients
- Displacer-Enhanced Hemodialysis: Improving the Intradialytic Removal of Protein-Bound Uremic Toxins Using Binding CompetitorsRenal Research Institute LLCUse of a displacer substance in a dialysis machine's blood tubing which binds to the same binding sites on albumin as the toxins, making them easier to remove
- Drug-Eluting Electrospun Hemodialysis GraftYael Vin and Nikhil Agrawal, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center; Matthew Phaneuf, BioSurfaces LLCIncorporate drugs into a synthetic electrospun graft to help reduce the failure and infection common with biologic grafts
- Fluo Medical Fistula Monitoring DeviceDimitri Augustin and Racquel Redwood, Stanford UniversityWearable, real-time monitor of arteriovenous fistula attributes that identifies failing or properly maturing arteriovenous fistulas to help make earlier informed treatment decisions
- Intracorporeal Hemodialysis SystemShuvo Roy, UC San Francisco; William H. Fissell, Vanderbilt University; Charles Blaha, Silicon KidneyA hemodialysis system that uses a compact hemodialyzer to create permanent internal vascular connections to eliminate needle-based vascular access and improve patient outcomes
- Nitric Oxide-Eluting, Disposable Hemodialysis Catheter Insert to Prevent Infection and ThrombosisAlexander Yevzlin, Shaker Qaqish, and Mark Meyerhoff, University of Michigan; John Zentgraf, J. Zentgraf Product Development ConsultingInnovative NO releasing catheter insert device for hemodialysis to help decrease infections and other complications, which in turn reduce hospitalizations, morbidity, and mortality
- Smart Sensor-Enhanced Needle Guide Reduces Pain and Cost in ClinicRoger Mason and Daniel Nadis, Access for Life, Inc.Sensor-enhanced needle guide reduces pain from large bore needles, limits damage to the surrounding fistula wall, and helps identify increased stenosis risk during hemodialysis
- The Ambulatory Kidney to Improve Vitality (AKTIV)Jonathan Himmelfarb, Buddy Ratner, Larry Kessler, Kassandra Thomson, Glenda V. Roberts, and Anna Galperin, University of Washington Center for Dialysis InnovationA wearable, miniaturized dialysis system that is low-cost, water-efficient, and patient friendly; requires minimal anticoagulation; and offers complication-free blood access
- Utilizing Optical Interrogation Methods for Early Diagnosis of Peritonitis in Peritoneal Dialysis PatientsMark Buckup, Alisha Birk, and Janelle Kaneda, Stanford University Bioengineering DepartmentOpticLine helps to detect early indicators of developing peritonitis to reduce risk of infection, prevent scarring of the peritoneum, and lower acute hospitalization costs
There are thousands of dialysis patients that have taken this trip, and there’s going to be thousands more. We’re here for you, we believe in you, and we’re going to work on this together.
