Brian Wang, Nextbigfuture, interviewed Joseph Todicso, CEO of Cormedix. DefenCath™ is Cormedix formulation of taurolidine and heparin that will greatly reduce dialysis infections for those using catheter lock solutions. It is trying to greatly reduce the risk of catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) from central venous catheters (CVCs).
These infections are one of the most frequent, deadly, and expensive complications of using catheters for dialysis. While CVCs comprise only ~20% of vascular-access types among the prevalent hemodialysis patients, they account for ~70% of CRBSIs.
There are about 500,000 people in the USA in dialysis and about 100,000 who are on catheter dialysis. DefenCath™ can potentially help the lives of tens of thousands of people each year in the USA, Europe and other places.
The risk of CRBSIs increases linearly with the duration of catheter use. One large observational study estimates the cumulative risk of CRBSIs to be 54% at six months and 79% at 12 months post-first-ever tunneled dialysis catheter placement.
Those who do not get an infection have a 75% chance lasting one year on catheter dialysis while those who get an infection have about a 55% chance of lasting one year. The added months or years would be healthier and could enable more patients to be live healthy and get a transplant.
If a patient gets an infection they not only would have a shorter and less healthy life but they would also be disqualified for a kidney transplant.
A study of 2017 and 2020 patients on hemodialysis had an annual rate of bloodstream infections caused by the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus that was 100 times higher than adults who are not on dialysis – 4,248 infections for every 100,000 person years compared with 42 of 100,000 person years, respectively. Out of nearly 15,000 bloodstream infections reported to the government’s National Healthcare Safety Network in 2020, about one in three were caused by Staphylococcus aureus, and about one-third of those were caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Brian Wang is a Futurist Thought Leader and a popular Science blogger with 1 million readers per month. His blog Nextbigfuture.com is ranked #1 Science News Blog. It covers many disruptive technology and trends including Space, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Medicine, Anti-aging Biotechnology, and Nanotechnology.
Known for identifying cutting edge technologies, he is currently a Co-Founder of a startup and fundraiser for high potential early-stage companies. He is the Head of Research for Allocations for deep technology investments and an Angel Investor at Space Angels.
A frequent speaker at corporations, he has been a TEDx speaker, a Singularity University speaker and guest at numerous interviews for radio and podcasts. He is open to public speaking and advising engagements.
CRBSI, do not negate transplant or a patients position on transplant lists. It may delay eligibility until the infection is cleared.