Redesign-PD

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is a valuable alternative to hospital-based hemodialysis (HD), offering patients greater independence and lower costs. Yet its use is limited by low clearance, high glucose exposure, and complications that reduce long-term success. REDESIGN-PD is a new project that aims to overcome these barriers by developing the next generation of PD treatment — making it safer, more effective, and more user-friendly for home use.

REDESIGN-PD builds on the promising results of WEAKID (WEArable KIDney), a novel PD system first developed and clinically tested within the earlier CORDIAL and COPEDIS projects. WEAKID introduced two major innovations: continuous recirculation of dialysate in the peritoneal cavity and sorbent-based dialysate regeneration. Together, these allow for higher clearance and effective fluid removal at much lower glucose exposure. In REDESIGN-PD, the system is further refined into a compact, easy-to-manufacture device designed specifically for home use, followed by new clinical evaluations to prepare it for large-scale trials and eventual market launch.

The expected impact is substantial. Patients can benefit from fewer uremic symptoms, less reliance on medications and dietary restrictions, and improved energy for work and social life. Lower infection and membrane failure rates will extend treatment survival, making PD a more attractive option overall. On a broader scale, shifting patients from in-center HD to home-based PD could reduce healthcare costs by ~€15,000 per patient each year and cut carbon emissions by ~2.5 tons CO₂-equivalent annually. With the potential to benefit more than 500,000 patients worldwide, REDESIGN-PD represents a crucial step forward in dialysis innovation — improving quality of life, lowering costs, and advancing sustainability. REDESIGN-PD is a collaboration between the UMCU, Nanodialysis B.V., and Inreda Diabetic.