Software Developed with Hungarian Researchers to Help Kidney Patients – International Company Established to Promote Utilisation

The software, developed in two phases by researchers from HUN-REN CERS, Óbuda University, the University of Glasgow, and INESC TEC Porto, uses donor chains to help find suitable living donors for patients enrolled in kidney transplant programmes who cannot receive kidneys from their own living donors due to immunological incompatibility or other health considerations, such as significant age differences.

The newly established not-for-profit company aims to provide a more favourable solution for those with kidney failure and address the acute shortage of living donors needed for transplantation. This could significantly improve patients' chances of survival and quality of life. KEPsoft is used by organisations running kidney exchange programmes in their respective countries to optimise the number of exchangeable donors and ensure that as many patients as possible receive a compatible living donor.

"Since 2016, my colleagues in Budapest and I have been involved in a European research collaboration on kidney exchange, as well as in adapting the software to meet primarily Spanish and Hungarian needs. We are very happy and proud that our work could provide tremendous help to patients awaiting transplants. In the coming years, the KEPsoft Collaborative could save hundreds of lives in Europe and beyond, and what’s more, in a sustainable manner," said Péter Biró, leader of the Mechanism Design Research Group at the HUN-REN CERS Institute of Economics.

Óbuda University is also involved in the collaboration, with a particular focus on the development of cyber-medical and medical technology systems. 'KEPsoft is an excellent example of efficient and practical, patient-oriented R&D&I activities. The medical technology software we have developed provides real support for both patients and healthcare professionals. Moreover, it offers a world-class solution, upon which we have built joint intellectual property with our partners. Óbuda University's goal is to promote the growth of the KEPsoft community both in Central Europe and globally,' emphasised Rita Fleiner, leader of the university's KEPsoft software development team.