Year: 2012-13

Company: Yumei Hospital

Liaison(s): Eric Hsu

The Zhongmei healthcare group is a multi-facility organization within several cities throughout China, and includes medical schools, anti-aging clinics, and specialty hospitals. One such hospital is the Yumei Kidney Disease Hospital in Yanjiao, Hebei, China. This hospital explores the interface of Western therapies with traditional Chinese medicine, and is exploring new therapies in the kidney disease sector. Kidney disease affects millions of people globally, and can also be linked to several ailments including diabetes and autoimmune disorders. Current therapeutic options either involve invasive treatments to filter the blood (dialysis), supplements to slow the progression, or full kidney replacement surgery. While each of these improves the quality of life, it is often a short-lived improvement. Many researchers and companies are investigating the potential of stem cells and tissue engineering for regenerative therapies in the treatment of renal failure. The goal of KGI’s Jingdong Yumei Kidney Disease Hospital TMP was to work with the liaisons and investigate research groups and companies exploring kidney repair through reconstructive methods. The TMP then evaluated these technologies according to Yumei’s strategic and therapeutic goals. Ultimately the TMP team made a prioritized list of potential technologies and facilitated communication with the final group of investigators responsible for the technologies of interest. To accomplish these tasks, the team began their efforts by building a portfolio of innovative kidney disease technologies that were in development or approaching market approval. By attending conferences for nephrology and discussing new advances in the nephrology with KOL’s, the most interesting list of technologies was narrowed to a final list of potential collaborative opportunities. Through additional evaluation, as well as communication with inventors and investigators, contacts were then established to facilitate potential partnerships with the Jingdong Yumei Kidney Disease Hospital. Progress so far has suggested that there are numerous opportunities within the United States to develop a regenerative approach for the treatment of kidney disease. As a result of this TMP, the Jingdong Yumei Kidney Disease Hospital in China made several connections to different institutions exploring regenerative medicine for kidney disease. Thus, our efforts have provided the opportunity for collaborative research or licensing agreements between US research groups or US companies and the Jingdong Yumei Kidney Disease Hospital.