Keenova Therapeutics plc has made headlines by sharing insightful findings regarding the use of TERLIVAZ® (terlipressin) for treating hepatorenal syndrome-acute kidney injury (HRS-AKI) at the highly anticipated SHM Converge 2026 conference. This event, taking place from March 29 to April 1, 2026, serves as a significant platform for healthcare professionals to discuss breakthroughs in hospital medicine.
Dr. Marek Honczarenko, Keenova's Executive Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer, expressed enthusiasm about the new data, stating, "We are pleased to share these findings with the medical community, as they help deepen our understanding of this challenging and rapidly progressive condition." These findings play a crucial role in expanding the clinical evidence surrounding the utilization of TERLIVAZ® in treating HRS-AKI, a situation marked by progressive kidney failure often stemming from severe liver conditions.
Hepatorenal syndrome is characterized by a sudden decline in kidney function, making it a critical medical emergency. Latest national data indicates that the incidences of HRS have risen alarmingly, with approximately 63,381 diagnosed hospitalizations projected for 2023, a considerable jump from 42,930 recorded in 2018. This underscores the urgent need for effective treatments and innovative therapies like TERLIVAZ®.
TERLIVAZ® represents a substantial advancement as it is the first and only therapy approved by the FDA to enhance kidney function in adults diagnosed with HRS‑AKI. The research shared at the conference focuses on real-world utilization patterns and outcomes, indicating how clinicians are implementing this treatment in healthcare settings and its effects on patient outcomes. This retrospective cohort study will provide valuable benchmarks for best practices moving forward.
Presentation Highlights
Keenova's presentation included critical insights from a team of distinguished authors in the medical field, including:
- - A. Sidney Barritt IV, MD
- - Kavish R. Patidar, DO
- - Robert J. Wong, MD, MS
- - Xingyue Huang, PhD
- - Rachel Black, PharmD
- - Mary Panaccio, PhD
- - Jonathan Lilley, BA
- - Nisha Wadhwani, PhD
- - Rahul Rajkumar, MD, MPH
- - Christopher White, MD, MSPH
The research elucidates the pressing nature of HRS-AKI, emphasizing that patients often face dire outcomes if not detected and treated promptly. As noted by Dr. Honczarenko, strengthening the clinical knowledge base can empower healthcare providers to better assist patients confronting this grave condition.
Safety Information
Despite the promising applications of TERLIVAZ®, it’s essential to highlight the warnings indicated in the treatment. Notably, it can cause severe respiratory failure, especially in patients already experiencing acute or chronic liver issues. Therefore, careful patient monitoring and adherence to safety protocols are crucial when implementing this treatment. Additionally, patients with significant serum creatinine levels or experiencing hypoxia should be managed with extreme care to avert potential adverse events.
Keenova's Commitment
Keenova Therapeutics is dedicated to improving patient lives by focusing on rare and complex conditions. Based in Dublin, the company has established a robust manufacturing presence across several states in the U.S. The company is committed to delivering innovative therapeutics that address unmet medical needs in various therapeutic areas, which include nephrology, pulmonology, and beyond.
As Keenova candidly shares its research findings and developments in therapies like TERLIVAZ®, the healthcare community moves closer to offering improved treatment options for the growing population of patients with serious liver and kidney disorders. The insights gleaned from the SHM Converge conference will likely influence how clinicians approach treatment protocols and patient management in the future.