Developing The First Ever Wearable & Mobile Hemodialysis System

A compact device powered by a patented regenerative resin gel dialysate, designed
for continuous and enhanced clearance with low volumes – eliminating dependency on water and enabling mobility.

Dialysis Without Boundaries Empowering Life Beyond the Machine sustainable future

Problems

End Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD)

In the U.S., >808,000 people live with ESKD; ~68% depend on dialysis and ~32% live with functioning kidney transplant
Despite incremental improvements, most dialysis is intermittent, leaving long gaps in clearance that contribute to poor outcomes and limited quality of life (~20% Survival at 10 years).
ESKD demand outpaces transplants: dialysis patients receiving a kidney transplant rose to 26,362 in 2022, but most patients still start on dialysis.
Medicare spends approximately $95,000 annually per patient on hemodialysis and $80,000 annually per patient on Peritoneal Dialysis
Incidence of ESKD is growing quickly and very costly
Significant dependency on water with limited alternatives (Water supply disruptions, natural disasters, microbial/endotoxin/chemical contamination could potentially leave the ESKD population vulnerable and at risk)
Need for advancement in renal replacement therapy for freedom, mobility and sustainability.

people with ESKD in the U.S.

0 M+

Survival at 10 years on dialysis

0 %

Diabetes primary cause of ESKD

0 %

Hypertension primary cause of ESKD

0 %

Our Solution NEPHRON 1

Nephron 1 is a wearable hemodialysis system engineered to deliver near-continuous blood purification without the constraints of traditional machines.

At its core is a physiologic resin-gel medium composed of microscale agarose resin beads that adsorb uremic toxins through the natural principles of diffusion, osmosis, and convection.

This breakthrough platform enables efficient toxin clearance while dramatically reducing water consumption and infrastructure needs. Designed for mobility and autonomy, Nephron 1 combines compact hardware, minimal external attachments, and smart AI management to bring dialysis closer to true physiologic kidney function—anytime, anywhere.

Regenerative media:

Resin gel acts like dialysate but isn’t water based in bulk and is designed to be regenerated repeatedly, reducing disposables and water dependence. Superior to water-based dialysate at removing protein-bound uremic toxins.

Continuous style operation:

Low-flow, all day operation targets smoother biochemistry versus intermittent high-flux sessions (conceptually aligned with continuous clearance kinetics similar to native kidneys). Extended daily duration, physiologic biochemistry.

Built for mobility:

Compact footprint intended for comfort and easy transport. Portable, comfortable and lightweight (<20 lbs).

Innovation:

Potential to save thousands of liters of water per patient each year but also minimizes the energy and chemical footprint associated with water treatment, making Nephron 1 an environmentally conscious solution for sustainable kidney care. Improved quality of life, decreased morbidity/mortality and cost efficient.

Lightweight:

< 20 lbs

Technology:

Smart / AI-enabled monitoring and feedback system.

Components:

Pumps: Blood, Resin Gel Dialysate and Fluids
Sensors: Temperature, Air and Leak Detection, pH, Arterial/Veous Pressure, Transmembrane Pressure, Ultrafiltration and Flow, Conductivity, Regeneration Cycle (Ammonium/Urea Nitrogen), Middle Molecult Adsorber Stage Monitor, Anticoagulation Optimization, Smart (Ion Selective, Micro Flow, Optical, and Machine Learning Feedback)
Ultra High Flux Dialyzer (Resin gel dialysate compatible)
Arterial Line (Red): Directs unclean blood from tunneled dialysis catheter into Nephron 1
Venous Line (Blue): Directs clean blood from Nephron 1 back into tunneled dialysis catheter to patient
Rechargeable Lithium Batteries: 1 per device and 1 back-up, Docking Station, Power Management System
Cartridge: resin-gel system with agarose beads
Sensors: venous pressure, temperature, and molecular flow
Saline flush line: allows for blood return, medication, or antibiotic administration

Urinary Line (Yellow): Drains ultrafiltrate into leg bag which can be disposed manually
Rechargeable Lithium Batteries: 2 per device and 2 back-ups, Docking Station, Power Management System
Technology: Blue Tooth, Wi-Fi, Clinician Dashboard, Patient Centered Smart Phone App, LCD Control Panel – Remote Monitoring
Centrifuge: Separates rein gel dialysate from ultrafiltrate
Heparin Canister: 250 mL, exchangeable
Regeneration Fluid Canister: 250 mL, exchangeable
Resin Gel Dialysate Canister: 500 mL, exchangeable
Comfortable Design & Secure Shoulder Straps
Temperature regulation / heat sink integrated
Smart AI-enabled technology for data and performance optimization

How It Works:

Blood moves in one direction past a high flux semipermeable membrane. Resin gel dialysate moves in the oppositive direction adsorbing electrolytes, salt, water and uremic toxins from the blood via diffusion/osmosis/convective transport though the semipermeable membrane in order to reach equilibrium with the set physiologic composition of the resin gel dialysate.

01

Hemofilter:

02

Resin-gel medium:

Functionalized resin/agarose beads adsorb uremic solutes/electrolytes/salt/water, then regenerates inside of Nephron 1 via a centrifuge and regeneration fluid to restore capacity.

03

Closed loop:

The system maintains continuous small solute clearance with very low fluid requirements compared with water-based dialysate systems.

Intended Use (developmental): Provide extracorporeal hemodialysis using a regenerable resin gel medium for solute and fluid management in ESKD. Regenerative resin-gel dialysate for solute, uremic waste, and fluid management in ESKD patients. Investigational phase under IDE (Investigational Device Exemption). Planned studies: Biocompatibility & resin gel clearance capacity → → first-in-human feasibility focusing on safety and solute kinetics. Regulatory: Early engagement for Investigational Device Exemption; potential Breakthrough Device request if clinical need & advantages are supported.

Market Impact:

Prevalence (US):

808,000 with ESKD in U.S.; >2,000,000 worldwide.

New Start Modality (U.S.):

Potentially transformative with sustainable wearable systems.

Transplant Trend (U.S.):

Demand continues to exceed supply.

Economic Impact (U.S.)

Medicare’s Share of Dialysis Spending and Coverage
• About 85–90% of all U.S. dialysis patients are covered by Medicare, either as their primary or secondary payer.
• Medicare directly finances roughly 80% of total dialysis treatments delivered in the United States.
•Even though patients with ESKD represent less than 1% of the Medicare population, dialysis and kidney-transplant care account for ~7% of total Medicare fee-for-service spending — over $50 billion annually.
• Estimated > 1 million patients will have ESKD by 2030 in the US

1. Global burden:

~850 million people have chronic kidney disease worldwide (all stages).

2. Global Impact:

>1 million people rely on dialysis (HD + PD).

3. Mortality approaches 95%

where dialysis is unavailable.

4. Goal:

Improve survival at 10 years from ~20% → 70–80%. Expand access to dialysis globally where resources are limited or unavailable.

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Nephron 1

Leadership Team

News & Events

Join Us at ASN Kidney Week 2025

We’re excited to announce that Nephron 1 will be exhibiting at American Society of Nephrology Kidney Week 2025 — the premier gathering of kidney-care professionals from around the world.

Stop by Booth 413 to learn how Nephron 1 is advancing hemodialysis solutions, reducing water and infrastructure burden, and enabling 24/7 renal care delivery. We’ll also be showcasing our wearable prototype, patented resin gel dialysate, operational model, and partnership opportunities.

Whether you’re a hospital executive, dialysis provider, nephrology director, or investment partner — we’d love to connect, explore synergies, and discuss how Nephron 1 can help you deliver value-based kidney care.

Want to schedule an on-site meeting?
Contact us at info@nephron1.com to reserve time during the conference.