More than 500,000 U.S. patients have end stage renal disease and over 80% utilize hemodialysis as their renal replacement modality of choice. The Achilles Heel in the care of dialysis patients is the development of a functioning and durable vascular access, preferably an arteriovenous fistula (AVF). The annual cost of treating vascular access dysfunction totals over one billion US dollars. This is largely due to the high proportion of AVFs that fail to mature. After creation, sixty percent of AVFs fail to mature successfully for dialysis use, due to early venous neointimal development and inadequate vasodilation. At present, there are no effective therapies to promote vascular access maturation. Endomimetics has developed a nitric oxide (NO) releasing nanomatrix gel that mimics the characteristic properties of native endothelium. This nanomatrix can be applied on the dialysis AVF at the time of creation. In our Phase I SBIR, the nanomatrix gel demonstrated release of NO over 30 days, inhibited neointimal hyperplasia, and reduced expression of inflammatory markers in a rat AVF model. The Endomimetics nanomatrix gel is a biocompatible peptide based material and minimizes the risk of inflammatory responses. In this Phase II SBIR, we propose to evaluate the efficacy of the nanomatrix gel for AVF maturation at a clinically relevant time point.
Aim 1 will include evaluation of gelation properties, ex vivo blood vessel dilation, and assessment of NO effects on inhibition of inflammation. In collaboration with Dr. Lee at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Aims 2 and 3 will evaluate the efficacy of the Endomimetics nanomatrix gel in an established rodent AVF model, and in a porcine model. Development of the Endomimetics NO releasing nanomatrix gel that promotes AVF maturation may have significant impact in the treatment of patients requiring dialysis. With successful completion of Phase II, we plan to move forward in discussion with the FDA.

Public Health Relevance

Arteriovenous fistula non-maturation occurs in 60% of patients of hemodialysis patients receiving an arteriovenous fistula (AVF). This results in significant morbidity and mortality because of long-term dialysis catheter use. Endomimetics, LLC has developed a novel nitric oxide releasing nanomatrix gel, which, when applied at the time of AVF creation, could promote and enhance healthy AVF maturation and reduce the risk of longer-term complications.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Type
Small Business Innovation Research Grants (SBIR) - Phase II (R44)
Project #
2R44DK109789-02
Application #
9408787
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1)
Program Officer
Gossett, Daniel Robert
Project Start
2016-04-01
Project End
2019-07-31
Budget Start
2017-08-15
Budget End
2018-07-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2017
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Endomimetics, LLC
Department
Type
DUNS #
832769447
City
Birmingham
State
AL
Country
United States
Zip Code
35203
Farrington, Crystal A; Robbin, Michelle L; Lee, Timmy et al. (2018) Postoperative Ultrasound, Unassisted Maturation, and Subsequent Primary Patency of Arteriovenous Fistulas. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol 13:1364-1372
Lee, Timmy; Qian, Joyce; Thamer, Mae et al. (2018) Gender Disparities in Vascular Access Surgical Outcomes in Elderly Hemodialysis Patients. Am J Nephrol 49:11-19
Lee, Timmy; Qian, Joyce; Thamer, Mae et al. (2018) Tradeoffs in Vascular Access Selection in Elderly Patients Initiating Hemodialysis With a Catheter. Am J Kidney Dis 72:509-518