CVS Health (NYSE:CVS) launched a clinical trial of the home hemodialysis device it developed in conjunction with Dean Kamen’s Deka Research & Development, aiming to capitalize on the federal government’s plan to overhaul the way kidney disease is treated in the U.S.
CVS said the 70-patient study is designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of its HemoCare device, with patients and caregivers undergoing in-office training sessions before moving to home dialysis. The primary endpoints include adverse events and regular evaluations of dose efficacy, the Woonsocket, R.I.-based company said.
“We’re working now to change the kidney care paradigm by bringing to market programs and tools to improve early detection of kidney disease and provide comprehensive education and support to help delay the transition to dialysis,” chief transformation officer Dr. Alan Lotvin said in prepared remarks. “For those patients who do progress to dialysis, we are working to bring a new solution to the consumer that addresses the current barriers to and limitations of existing dialysis options, and we are working closely with the U.S. Food & Drug Administration as we evaluate this device.”
“Deka designed this device with patients in mind to help make home dialysis safe and simple,” Kamen added. “CVS Health is uniquely positioned to redefine identification, education and treatment for chronic kidney disease, making them our ideal partner.”
Lotvin said the drugstore chain’s kidney care division’s mission dovetails with the U.S. Health & Human Services Dept.’s push to lower its spend on kidney disease treatment.
“We have been working to fundamentally disrupt the kidney care market and rapidly innovate in an area that has stagnated for decades, and we applaud the administration for taking bold steps toward advancing kidney care as they are helping to rethink how to make kidney transplant and home dialysis mainstays of therapy,” he said. “CVS Kidney Care is uniquely positioned to help deliver on the core tenets of this new HHS initiative in a way that no one else can, and we look forward to working together to help transform the kidney treatment experience for millions of Americans.”