Delayed Graft Function

Delayed Graft Function (DGF) after renal transplantation, an orphan disease, is a complication of renal transplantation, occurring most frequently in transplanted kidneys originating from deceased donors. DGF is rare with living donor kidney transplants.

DGF can complicate the post-operative course in 20-40% of the cases and there is no treatment or preventive measure for this condition. Clinically, DGF manifests itself as a low or non-functioning kidney following transplantation.

During the period of DGF, patients will require additional dialysis, investigations (i.e. biopsy) and will have a prolonged post-transplantation hospitalisation and a higher incidence of in-hospital complications.

Given the number of patients awaiting a kidney transplant, the medical community has focussed significantly on using kidneys from deceased or extended criteria donors, and therefore the incidence of DGF is expected to increase.

There is significant evidence that DGF is vascular complication, as it occurs rapidly after transplantation and in patients who are heavily immuno-suppressed. Patients presenting DGF have increased renal vascular resistance with insufficient kidney blood flow. N-003 has the potential to prevent DGF by preserving an adequate renal blood flow following transplantation.