# Software for predicting a drug's potential to cause acute kidney injury

> **NIH NIH R44** · DILISYM SERVICES, INC. · 2020 · $509,548

## Abstract

The goal of this project is to develop novel technology for predicting drug-induced kidney injury
such as caused by systemic antimicrobials, diuretics, anticancer agents, and anti-inflammatory
drugs. Drugs cause approximately 20 percent of community- and hospital- acquired episodes of
acute renal failure, but the incidence in older adults may be as high as 60 percent. A significant
problem is that while there are many drugs that have the potential to cause drug-induced kidney
injury, there are few tools available for prevention of drug-induced kidney injury. Drug-induced
kidney injury often occurs prior to detecting alterations in renal function or of biomarkers
associated with injury. In this project, we will develop novel technology that can be used to test
drugs (preclinical, clinical, or after-market) for potential to cause drug-induced kidney injury.
In developing the technology, considered will be the various components and processes
underlying pathophysiology associated with acute kidney injury caused by various drugs.
Additionally, we will perform validation of this technology. Once validated, the technology will be
ready to commercialize, including making the technology available to our existing base of
pharmaceutical company customers, to regulatory agencies, and for academic teaching and
academic research use.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9844943
- **Project number:** 5R44DK118981-03
- **Recipient organization:** DILISYM SERVICES, INC.
- **Principal Investigator:** Brett Alyn Howell
- **Activity code:** R44 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $509,548
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-08-01 → 2021-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9844943

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9844943, Software for predicting a drug's potential to cause acute kidney injury (5R44DK118981-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9844943. Licensed CC0.

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