A project aimed at establishing a consortium of growers for the long-term regional production of Jack Bean, initiated by Nextkidney, began in late 2023. These beans play a crucial role in a new therapy that will enable home dialysis for kidney patients. Nextkidney, a Dutch company with subsidiaries in Switzerland and Singapore, was co-founded by the Dutch Kidney Foundation and is supported by major Dutch health insurers, patient associations and medical professionals worldwide.

Nextkidney has developed the Neokidney, the first truly portable device for home hemodialysis. This innovative device enables patients to dialyze whenever and wherever they want, significantly increasing their autonomy and freedom. This advance not only improves patients’ quality of life, but also supports more frequent dialysis, leading to increased life expectancy. At the same time, it lowers the cost of treatment by requiring less caregiver support. Thanks to technological innovations, the Neokidney allows kidney patients to adapt their treatment to their lives, rather than having their lives determined by treatment.

An essential part of the Neokidney is the filtration system, which allows dialysis fluid to be recycled. Crucial to this process is the breakdown of urea, a waste that accumulates in the blood. This breakdown uses an enzyme that can be extracted from the Jack Bean. The regional production of Jack Bean thus represents an indispensable link for as many patients as possible to benefit from this innovative home treatment for chronic kidney failure.

VARTA plays a central role in the project by coordinating grower trials at six different Dutch growers. During cultivation, the yields of different cultivation systems are compared with each other to arrive at an optimal cultivation protocol. This approach contributes to the efficient and sustainable cultivation of Jack Bean and supports the wider implementation of this pioneering therapy.