Vascular Therapies

The Kidney Patient’s Unmet Clinical Need

A Growing Problem

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a serious and growing health problem, affecting 1 in 10 American adults. End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) is the final stage of CKD. A patient with ESRD has kidney failure and unless the lost kidney function is replaced, ESRD is fatal.

Replacing Lost Function

Worldwide, about 70% of patients with ESRD depend on hemodialysis to replace their lost kidney function, and patients generally undergo dialysis treatment three times a week.

The Need for a Better Solution

To prepare the patient for dialysis, a surgeon connects an artery and a vein in the forearm or upper arm. This connection is called a “vascular anastomosis.” This vascular access, a portal of entry into the vascular system, is intended to allow for the consistent, high flow of blood necessary for dialysis. Often, this approach fails putting the patient’s health — even life — in danger.

How Vascular Therapies is Addressing the Need

Local Drug Delivery

Vascular Therapies’ approach is to deliver sirolimus (a drug) locally to the blood vessel at and around the anastomosis. It is doing so by implanting a collagen-based drug delivery system containing sirolimus at the time of the surgical procedure. Vascular Therapies’ goal: to prevent the veins from narrowing, keep the portal open and provide for consistent vascular access necessary for successful dialysis.