Fresenius Medical Care, the world’s largest provider of dialysis products and services, has established a subsidiary focusing on regenerative medicine. Unicyte AG will pursue research into kidney and liver diseases, diabetes and cancer, and will work with additional partners when needed to advance these projects.

Fresenius Medical Care has collaborated with the University of Turin since 2003. The first, groundbreaking result of their joint research under the direction of Prof. Giovanni Camussi, Scientific Director of the university’s Torino Stem Cell Project, was the isolation and characterization of a human stem cell population from an adult liver. These liver stem cells are easy to isolate, capable of being multiplied without limit and transferrable into various other cell types, making them a potential option for regenerative medicine.

Further important discoveries were functional pancreatic islets (which mimic the function of pancreatic cells) for the treatment of diabetes, and stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles (particles that support communication between cells) for the treatment of kidney and liver diseases as well as cancer. The first research results were converted recently into preclinical development projects.

On the basis of the successful partnership with Prof. Camussi, a leading expert on extracellular vesicles and stem cell research, Unicyte is continuing the joint research. The company will pursue the development projects up until the stage of clinical studies on humans. The long-term goal is to improve the lives of kidney and liver disease, diabetes and cancer patients.

Prof. Gianmaria Ajani, Rector of the University of Turin, stated: “This is an outstanding example of collaboration between industry and science. It is not only driving the development of new technologies, but is providing an educational opportunity for young people. Unicyte will attract more international sponsors and investors, and in this way secure, long-term jobs can be created.”

Dr. Olaf Schermeier, Fresenius Medical Care’s CEO for Global Research and Development, said: “We are very excited to be extending our successful collaboration with Prof. Camussi and the University of Turin. This is the right point in time to focus the outstanding scientific research on indications where there is great medical need.”

Florian Jehle, CEO of Unicyte and Vice President, Technology & Innovation Management at Fresenius Medical Care, said: “The establishment of Unicyte AG is the logical step to translate the existing research collaboration on stem cells and extracellular vesicles into clinical programs. In this way, Fresenius Medical Care is bundling its regenerative medicine research for selected indications.”

Prof. Camussi, Scientific Director of the Torino Stem Cell Project, stated: "The expectations for stem cell research have grown in recent years, but a rigorous scientific process is essential to developing targeted therapies while maintaining ethical standards. To develop sound clinical applications, our research must be reproducible and scientifically verifiable.”

Fresenius Medical Care, the world’s largest provider of dialysis products and services, has launched the 6008 CAREsystem for the treatment of patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). This new dialysis therapy system incorporates Fresenius Medical Care’s highest therapy standards while optimizing dialysis treatment and improving economic efficiency. Most importantly, it minimizes the number of risk-related handling steps and reduces complexity in therapy delivery.

The 6008 CAREsystem was introduced to specialists at the European Dialysis and Transplantation Association / European Renal Association (EDTA/ERA) conference in Vienna, which ended yesterday.

Dominik Wehner, Fresenius Medical Care’s Chief Executive Officer for Europe, Middle East and Africa, said: "The innovative 6008 CAREsystem is the next step in our Cardioprotective Hemodialysis concept: It offers a streamlined design to deliver advanced dialysis therapy more easily, leaving more time for direct patient care. As a result, more patients can benefit from improved outcomes and a higher level of care quality."

To enable significantly reduced complexity in therapy delivery, Fresenius Medical Care has developed a new, all-in-one disposable with completely pre-connected bloodlines for all treatment modalities.

Dr. Olaf Schermeier, the company’s Chief Executive Officer for Global Research and Development, stated: "Leveraging leading-edge technology, the new 6008 CAREsystem is designed to support physicians and caregivers. The reduction in the number of risk-related handling steps, and in the interactions required during the set-up and disconnection phases, reduce the pressure on staff and create an improved experience for the patient."

The numerous innovations built into the 6008 CAREsystem combine to create an enhanced dialysis therapy that enables better overall care for patients with chronic kidney failure. The 6008 CAREsystem also reduces the volume and weight of generated waste, making it even more cost-efficient and environmentally friendly.

The dialyzer (sometimes described as the "artificial kidney") and the dialysis machine are the two most important products in hemodialysis. While the dialyzer filters the patient’s blood, the dialysis machine pumps it and monitors its circulation outside the body. The machine also maintains the composition of the dialysis solution and introduces anticoagulants into the blood. Dialysis treatments generally last three to six hours, and are usually carried out three times a week.

More than half of all dialysis machines used worldwide are made by Fresenius Medical Care.