Novo Nordisk Foundation awards DKK 200 million to new European research consortium KidMED-CKM
The Novo Nordisk Foundation is funding the new research consortium KidMED-CKM with DKK 200 million over five years. The consortium unites three internationally recognized kidney research centers in Hamburg, Aarhus and Aachen, led and coordinated by the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE). Its goal: a paradigm shift in cardiovascular–kidney–metabolic (CKM) disease, moving from managing late-stage complications toward kidney-centered precision medicine.
Cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, and metabolic disorders such as diabetes and obesity represent one of the greatest healthcare challenges worldwide. Although these conditions are closely interconnected, they are still largely studied and treated separately. KidMED-CKM brings together internationally recognized researchers from complementary disciplines to address this challenge by placing the kidney at the center of cardiovascular–kidney–metabolic (CKM) disease.
By connecting discovery science with diagnostics and clinical translation in one integrated research pipeline, the consortium will investigate how kidney dysfunction not only results from cardiovascular and metabolic disease but also actively drives disease progression across multiple organ systems. This kidney-centered approach aims to identify the biological mechanisms underlying CKM disease and translate these discoveries into earlier diagnosis, more accurate patient stratification, and more personalized treatments.
“The kidney has long been underrepresented in cardiovascular and metabolic research, even though it decisively shapes how these diseases progress. With KidMED-CKM, we bring together the complementary strengths of three leading European sites to close this gap and establish a new, kidney-centered precision medicine for CKM care,” says Professor Tobias B. Huber, CEO of KidMED-CKM.
KidMED-CKM is led by CEO Prof. Dr. Tobias B. Huber together with co-site director in Hamburg (Prof. Dr. Insa M. Schmidt) and site directors in Aarhus (Prof. Dr. Henrik Birn and Prof. Dr. Rikke Nørregaard) and Aachen (Prof. Dr. Rafael Kramann and Prof. Dr. Jitske Jansen). The consortium is supported by independent scientific, translational, and patient advisory boards. Beyond its research program, KidMED-CKM will establish a sustainable ecosystem for innovation, education, and knowledge exchange in kidney research and CKM medicine across Europe.
Physiology, population health and education
Aarhus University and Aarhus University Hospital will serve as the consortium's hub for translational physiology, population health, and education. Led by Professor Rikke Nørregaard and Professor Henrik Birn, the Aarhus site contributes internationally recognized expertise in kidney physiology, epidemiology, nanomedicine, advanced imaging, ex vivo and experimental disease models, and the integration of molecular profiles with clinical phenotypes and outcomes.
Building on Denmark's unique research and healthcare infrastructure, Aarhus will strengthen national collaboration and maximize the impact of KidMED-CKM by bringing together leading cardiovascular, kidney, and metabolic research institutions and clinical partners. In addition, Aarhus will establish the KidMED-CKM Academy as a central pillar of the consortium, creating a European platform for scientific and clinical training, career development, and the education of the next generation of kidney researchers and clinician scientists.
Contact
Professor Rikke Nørregaard
Aarhus University, Department of Clinical Medicine
Phone: +45 20 86 20 00
Email: RN@clin.au.dk
Professor Henrik Birn
Aarhus University, Department of Clinical Medicine and
Aarhus University Hospital, Department of Nephology
Phone: 61 71 78 70
Email: HB@clin.au.dk