Impact Stewards contributing to key innovation for people with kidney disease
Health foundation Nierstichting has announced a next major milestone in the development of Neokidney, its groundbreaking dialysis solution that is set to launch in 2027. The project is supported by consultants from Impact Stewards.
Founded in 1968, Netherlands-based the Nierstichting funds research, provides education, and works to improve the quality of life for people with kidney disease.
Its mission is highly relevant – worldwide, around 2.8 million kidney patients must visit hospitals three times a week for lengthy haemodialysis sessions to purify their blood using an artificial kidney. The treatment currently has to take place in hospitals because the machines required are large and immobile.
To give patients greater freedom in their treatment, the Nierstichting launched a project in 2014 to develop a more mobile alternative. The solution, called Neokidney, is a home dialysis system roughly the size of carry-on luggage. Its key benefit is that it can be used anywhere, including in the homes of patients.
The development of Neokidney and its commercialisation is led by the newly established company Nextkidney.
From trials to milestones
Over the past decade, European clinical trials have been conducted, including safety studies and initial tests in France, which delivered positive results. The mobile dialysis system is now being tested for longer-term use by patients of hospitals in the Netherlands, Belgium and France.
Building on the promising results, Nextkidney has now announced that it expects to formally bring Neokidney to the market in 2027.
The role of Impact Stewards
Impact Stewards, a boutique management consulting firm, is closely involved in the project. The company helped develop an integrated service concept for Neokidney, which included designing and organising the solution’s care in the home setting, as well as aligning clinical workflows and funding pathways.
This aspect of the project is crucial because the success of Neokidney depends heavily on adoption by both the healthcare ecosystem and patients. By ensuring the device is not only technically sound but also aligned with the expectations of patients and medical professionals, the Nierstichting can seek widespread adoption.
“On behalf of the Nierstichting, we worked closely with care providers, insurance companies and patients with the goal of making home dialysis the safe default option for eligible patients. By focusing not only on the product, but also on the services, partnerships and incentives that make adoption possible, we can truly improve the daily lives of patients,” said Connie van Marrewijk from Impact Stewards.
Patrick Filius from Impact Stewards added: “The project required a holistic approach and brought together patients, healthcare professionals, insurers and innovators to make home dialysis a realistic and scalable option. We look forward to continuing to support this and other initiatives that turn groundbreaking medical innovation into real-world solutions that improve lives.”
