Klinrisk, an artificial intelligence (AI)-based medical device company specializing in prognostic solutions for kidney disease, has been awarded an investment from the National Kidney Foundation’s Innovation Fund. Klinrisk’s unique approach incorporates routinely collected laboratory tests to deliver a highly accurate prognosis that is one of the most widely employed risk prediction tools in nephrology for identifying high-risk chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients.
“Klinrisk’s innovative use of artificial intelligence has the potential to revolutionize CKD care and improve the lives of millions of patients. By investing in Klinrisk through our Innovation Fund, we are furthering our mission to advance kidney health and ensure equitable access to life-changing innovations,” said Kevin Longino, CEO of the National Kidney Foundation, in the press release.
An Overview of Klinrisk
Klinrisk is established on the basis of comprehensive national and international population health databases, which incorporate complete data from various health systems, thus guaranteeing a holistic view without any gaps or biases. The proprietary AI model targets early identification of patients with progressive kidney disease, thereby enabling timely treatment options to prevent kidney failure and serious complications that occur at late disease stages. Klinrisk’s platform generates a risk score for every CKD patient based on routinely used tests, assisting physicians in making informed decisions about treatments and care goals.
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What Does Klinrisk Mean for Kidney Health?
CKD is characterized by damaged or failing kidneys that cannot effectively filter blood. Early stages of the disease are typically asymptomatic, with symptoms emerging as the disease progresses. Often, the disease can advance without symptoms until the kidneys are severely damaged. The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is a standard test for determining a treatment plan, but it cannot accurately identify high-risk patients if used alone.
Klinrisk’s mission is to develop and refine risk prediction models for kidney disease, with these models serving as key decision drivers. The National Kidney Foundation’s Innovation Fund investment will enable the advancement of these predictive models to incorporate additional factors such as lifestyle, new lab tests, heart failure, hospitalizations, emergency department visits and complications. Klinrisk is also planning to validate these models across different continents. If successful, the platform could revolutionize CKD management by enabling timely interventions, thereby positively impacting the morbidity and mortality associated with CKD.
“We now have an abundance of effective therapeutics that can slow CKD progression and prevent cardiovascular events, yet they are not reaching the majority of patients until very late in the journey. Effective care for high-risk CKD starts early, and Klinrisk is committed to changing the way CKD is recognized and treated and to eliminate kidney failure for most patients and families. Our goals are completely aligned with the National Kidney Foundation, making this partnership a natural fit,” said Navdeep Tangri, co-founder of Klinrisk, in the news release.
The National Kidney Foundation and Its Impact on CKD Awareness and Research
The National Kidney Foundation is a patient-focused organization dedicated to enhancing understanding of CKD and improving treatment outcomes. With an active role in research, the National Kidney Foundation strives to reach at-risk populations, as well as early-stage and late-stage patients, providing them with resources to manage the disease effectively.
The Innovation Fund was established by the National Kidney Foundation in 2021 to advance this mission by supporting emerging companies that are developing innovative, patient-centric kidney therapies. The Innovation Fund has also recently invested in Relavo and Medigo to further technological advancements in renal health.
New and Promising Drugs for CKD
Numerous drugs are currently being investigated for CKD and its associated conditions. Notably, the EMPA-KIDNEY Phase III clinical trial results published in The New England Journal of Medicine revealed that Jardiance (empagliflozin), an SGLT2 inhibitor, significantly reduced the risk of kidney disease progression or death from cardiovascular causes compared to placebo in patients with pre-existing CKD. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) accepted a supplemental New Drug Application for empagliflozin in January.
Montelukast, a pro-inflammatory lipid mediator antagonist, is also under investigation in a Phase III clinical trial as a potential therapy for diabetic kidney disease.
Additionally, Phase III trials for finerenone, an aldosterone hormone blocker thought to play a role in CKD, are ongoing for patients with kidney disease and type 2 diabetes.
Pentoxifylline (PTX), a medication in use since 1984 for treating diseases in the blood vessels of the legs, is currently in Phase IV trials. PTX is under investigation due to reported preventative effects on kidneys in diabetes and other conditions.
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