SeaStar Medical's QUELIMMUNE, a groundbreaking medical device aimed at treating pediatric acute kidney injury (AKI) due to sepsis, has been awarded the 2025 Corporate Innovator Award by the National Kidney Foundation (NKF). This recognition places QUELIMMUNE in the esteemed company of past winners like Janssen Pharmaceuticals and Merck & Co. Inc., marking a significant milestone in the fight against pediatric AKI. The device's innovative approach targets the cytokine storm, a common immune response in severe illnesses, by integrating with existing continuous kidney replacement therapy circuits.
Approved by the FDA in February 2024 under a Humanitarian Device Exemption, QUELIMMUNE has shown promising results in clinical trials, including a 77% reduction in mortality rates among pediatric patients and no cases of dialysis dependency after 60 days. The NKF's accolade underscores the device's potential to revolutionize treatment for pediatric AKI, a condition with a high mortality rate among children requiring continuous renal replacement therapy. SeaStar Medical is now exploring QUELIMMUNE's efficacy in adult AKI patients, with trials aiming to include 200 participants.
The National Kidney Foundation, established in 1950, has been instrumental in advancing kidney disease treatment and patient care, making the Corporate Innovator Award a prestigious honor for SeaStar Medical. Eric Schlorff, CEO of SeaStar Medical, shared his gratitude for the recognition, highlighting the device's impact on saving children's lives and preventing long-term dialysis. With kidney disease affecting over 35 million adults in the U.S., SeaStar Medical's innovation represents a crucial advancement in addressing this widespread health issue.
