SAN DIEGO, California — March 06, 2024 — Balboa Nephrology, a leading nephrology practice based in San Diego, and IKONA, a New-York-based immersive learning company, have entered into a strategic partnership to develop, test, and commercialize groundbreaking learning products and services for people living with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage kidney disease (ESKD).

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What It’s About

Balboa Nephrology, a cornerstone of kidney care in Southern California for over five decades, proudly serves more than 40,000 patients through a network spanning 18 clinical offices and 88 dialysis clinics. New York-based IKONA Health is trusted by over 250 clinics nationwide for its evidence-based learning solutions, specifically designed to enhance outcomes for individuals with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). Their flagship product utilizes virtual reality and analytics to help patients understand new treatment options, including home dialysis.

This partnership unites a leading, comprehensive care delivery organization with an industry-focused, evidence-based learning company, setting its sights on addressing the foremost challenges within the kidney care education and training markets. From acute settings to outpatient and in-home care, current challenges include bolstering social support networks and raising awareness among early-stage CKD patients to delivering comprehensive education and training for individuals pursuing new treatment options for kidney failure.

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Key Aims of the Partnership:

Balboa Nephrology and IKONA share a common goal of reshaping the landscape of kidney disease education and patient support. By harnessing the collective expertise of Balboa's clinical care delivery with IKONA's innovative learning solutions, the partnership seeks to create impactful, patient-centric programs. These programs will aim to empower individuals with CKD and ESKD to navigate their healthcare journeys with improved confidence, knowledge, and the skills needed to be successful on their chosen treatment paths.

With around 15% of US adults impacted by chronic kidney disease (CKD), which accounts for 1 in 5 Medicare dollars annually, these challenges are more pressing now than ever before. The prevalence of depression is 3 to 4 times higher among CKD and ESRD patients compared to the general population, making psycho-social support an integral part of "whole person" kidney care. Doing so will require breadth of clinical knowledge and depth of technical and scientific expertise.

Patients who experience kidney failure require dialysis or a kidney transplant to survive. Today, a major shift is underway for the 550,000 or so patients on dialysis across the country to increase the number of patients on home-based dialysis or receiving transplants. Why? Because patients who dialyze at home often experience better health outcomes and are more likely to receive healthy kidneys from a donor. A lack of effective education and training remains a critical barrier in this national effort to increase awareness and access for patients with CKD and ESRD.

By developing innovative learning products and services to support patient segments before and after a kidney failure diagnosis, the partnership seeks to increase access to treatment options like home dialysis and transplantation. By developing new offerings to meet this need, Balboa and IKONA will better reach underserved populations, bridging healthcare access gaps and creating a more equitable landscape for kidney disease care moving forward.

In a time of ever-increasing demand for cost-effective, patient-centric solutions, this partnership stands as a clear example of aligned purpose. It's poised to reduce the economic burden of kidney disease, improve health outcomes, and enhance the quality of life for countless individuals. Together, Balboa and IKONA will address top-of-mind challenges with state-of-the-art solutions, grounded in evidence-based practice.

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On The Record:

‍"In our quest to revolutionize kidney care, Balboa Nephrology is thrilled to team up with IKONA, innovators of immersive learning. Together, we're on a mission to address health inequity involving people with CKD and ESKD, arming them with knowledge, confidence, and control as they navigate their healthcare journey. This partnership isn't just about expertise; it's about turning kidney care into an adventure, where patients are the heroes of their own stories!" said Bijal Patel, MD, President of Balboa Nephrology.

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“Balboa is one of the most forward thinking and innovative nephrology groups and leadership teams in the country. We’re excited to deepen our relationship and work together to bring effective, evidence-based learning tools to their patients, families, and staff. We believe this partnership will open the door for new ways of engaging, educating, and supporting patients across the patient journey, from navigating early stage kidney disease to choosing treatment options for kidney failure,” said Tim Fitzpatrick, Co-Founder and CEO of IKONA.

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References:

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Chronic Kidney Disease in the United States, 2023.
2. U.S. Renal Data System, USRDS 2023 Annual Data Report: Table 1.1; Figure 2.11
3. Shirazian S, Grant CD, Aina O, Mattana J, Khorassani F, Ricardo AC. Depression in Chronic Kidney Disease and End-Stage Renal Disease: Similarities and Differences in Diagnosis, Epidemiology, and Management. Kidney Int Rep. 2016
4. Fitzpatrick T, Butt Q, Maddox T. Enhancing Home Dialysis Training and Retention through Interactive Virtual Reality. Nephrol Nurs J. 2023

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About Balboa:

Balboa Nephrology was founded in 1973 in San Diego and has grown to be recognized as a national leader in quality and outcomes-oriented care. A recipient of the Renal Physicians Association Exemplary Practice Award, Balboa Nephrology currently employs 60 physicians and 10 advanced practitioners in an integrated model of care. Balboa Nephrology currently provides care to 6,000 patients with end-stage kidney disease in both dialysis and transplant programs.  Balboa Nephrology was a top performer in the recently concluded CMMI CEC/ESCO program, and its patients experienced significant improvements in meaningful outcomes. For more information, visit the Balboa Nephrology website.

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About IKONA:

IKONA, Inc. is a learning platform trusted by over 250 clinics to improve outcomes for people with end stage kidney disease (ESKD) using virtual reality and analytics. The company's expert team of clinicians, patients, scientists, and technologists are building a pipeline of evidence-based learning products across complex chronic areas, including ESKD, Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), Transplantation, Diabetes Mellitus and more. IKONA is funded by the National Science Foundation, Department of Defense, StartUp Health, On Deck, NVIDIA and was named a Top 200 EdTech Startup globally in the 2022 and 2023 GSV Cups. To learn more about the company's mission to launch 10 million personalized learning journeys by 2030, please visit the IKONA Health website.