Ardelyx Announces the First Recipients of Derek Forfang Patient Advocate Award

Core Points - Ardelyx, Inc. announced the establishment of the Derek Forfang Patient Advocate Award to honor leaders in chronic kidney disease advocacy on World Kidney Day [1][2] - The award is named after Derek Forfang, who passed away in 2023 due to chronic kidney disease and was known for his advocacy efforts [2] - The first recipients of the award are Mary Baliker, Erich Ditschman, Nichole Jefferson, Curtis Warfield, and David M. White, recognized for their contributions to the CKD community [1][3] Ardelyx Overview - Ardelyx is a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing innovative medicines for unmet medical needs [1][9] - The company has two commercial products approved in the U.S.: IBSRELA (tenapanor) and XPHOZAH (tenapanor) [9] - Ardelyx has international agreements for the development and commercialization of tenapanor, including partnerships in Japan and China [9] Award Recipients - Mary Baliker: A healthcare advocate for 40 years, diagnosed with a rare kidney disease at age nine, and author of a book aimed at helping children with chronic illnesses [4] - Erich Ditschman: Advocated for kidney patients, focusing on mentorship and policy change, and co-founded a home hemodialysis database [5] - Nichole Jefferson: A kidney transplant recipient advocating for health equity and early detection, focusing on underserved communities [6] - Curtis Warfield: A kidney transplant recipient advocating for health equity and policy reform, recognized for his advocacy efforts [7] - David M. White: A kidney transplant recipient focused on health equity and patient empowerment, collaborating with various organizations for systemic reform [8]