Hyderabad Start-up Launches Early CKD Detection Test
The start-up said one of the biggest challenges in India is that millions of diabetics remain unaware they already have kidney damage because CKD remains silent in the early stages.
Hyderabad: A Hyderabad-based start-up has launched RenIQ, a new diagnostic test designed to detect chronic kidney disease (CKD), much earlier than conventional kidney function tests. The start-up founders said Hyderabad was chosen as the launch headquarters because of the city’s high CKD burden, strong healthcare ecosystem and the presence of its founding clinical team.
Speaking during an interaction with Deccan Chronicle, Kiora co-founder, Anupam Dey said the company’s operational and medical teams are based in Hyderabad. “We have many international experts as board members and adopted international standards,” he said.
Co-founder and chief medical officer of Kiora, and Nephrologist, Dr K. S. Nayak said Telangana and Andhra Pradesh have among the highest CKD burdens in India.
“Nationally, CKD prevalence is estimated at around 7 to 10 per cent, but in Telangana and Hyderabad it is close to 13 to 15 per cent. Diabetes is one of the biggest contributors to this rise,” Dr Nayak said.
According to them, conventional kidney tests mainly depend on serum creatinine levels, which may not detect kidney damage at an early stage, especially among South Asians, women, elderly individuals and people with low muscle mass.
Dr Nayak explained that creatinine levels usually increase only after nearly 60 percent of kidney function has already been lost. “Cystatin C, which is used in RenIQ, is produced by every cell in the body and is not significantly affected by muscle mass, age or diet. It helps detect kidney damage much earlier,” he said.
They said the new test is based on globally validated biomarkers and follows internationally recognised kidney disease guidelines. They also have plans to integrate artificial intelligence tools to create digital metabolic twins of patients to monitor kidney health and personalise treatment plans.
The start-up said one of the biggest challenges in India is that millions of diabetics remain unaware they already have kidney damage because CKD remains silent in the early stages.
The test is currently available through home sample collection services, with reports generated within 24 hours.
