Renal care professionals from across the world assembled last month in Italy for the European Renal Association (ERA) Congress. Held between 15-18 June, this event is considered to be one of the largest and most prestigious meetings in nephrology in Europe.
This year, over 10,000 nephrologists, patient association representatives and other kidney professionals from around the world, offering a wealth of opportunities to connect, discuss and collaborate. Dr Fernando Macário, Diaverum’s Chief Medical Officer, commented: “Engaging with colleagues from different Diaverum countries, as well as representatives from other companies and academic institutions, was an absolute pleasure. I had the honour to meet Prof. Loreto Gesualdo from the University of Bari and esteemed Honorary Local Congress President, Prof. Giuseppe Grandaliano from the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore and Francesco Pesce, MD PhD from the ERA Scientific Advisory Board in a meeting organised by Nicla Campobasso and Giuseppe Zizzo from Diaverum Italia. Together, we have already begun planning new and exciting projects”.
“I would also like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to our colleagues from Nipro. It was a wonderful opportunity to connect with them after our recent visit to Japan, and personally witness the exceptional quality of their products on display”.
Leading by example
As a global leading provider of renal care, the Congress offered a natural platform for Diaverum’s Medical team, including Dr Carlos Lucas, Director of Medical Protocols and Standardisation, and Dr Carla Santos, Corporate Medical Director, to make connections and demonstrate their skills. Diaverum representatives were highly active participants during the event, with Corporate and county teams from Germany, North Macedonia, Portugal, Romania and Saudi Arabia presenting six studies. Dr Mathias Haarhaus, Corporate Head of Science & Research and Country Medical Director for Sweden, presented results from two studies, the protective effect of early referral to a nephrologist on incidence of COVID-19 and the comparative effect of 6 different COVID-19 vaccines on breakthrough infections and mortality in dialysis patients, Dr Rainer Woitas, Diaverum Scientific Team member and Country Medical Director of Germany presented a study demonstrating the heparin-sparing effect of citrate-buffered dialysis baths.
Dr Haarhaus also represents Diaverum in his recently assigned capacity as Chair of ERA’s Chronic Kidney Disease – Mineral and Bone Disorder (CKD-MBD) Working Group, that aims to work as a common platform for educational, scientific, and personal exchange to facilitate research in that particular field.
Commenting on the honour, Dr Haarhaus had this to say: “It is both an enormous challenge, responsibility and privilege to be appointed Chair of this Working Group, which currently has one of the highest educational and scientific activities among the ERA Working Groups”.
“CKD-MBD is recognised as an important contributor to morbidity and mortality throughout all stages of CKD. I humbly accept the trust that has been shown towards me and I look forward to forging close, collaborative ties with other international experts to achieve a global approach to the pathophysiology, prevention and treatment of CKD-MBD”.
Dr Macário rounded off observations on the Congress, with these words: “The 60th ERA Congress was an invaluable platform for sharing knowledge, building networks, and fostering meaningful partnerships. I am excitedly looking forward to future collaborations and endeavours that will advance patient care and drive innovation in our field.”