OREANDA-NEWS. June 01, 2015. Baxter International Inc. (NYSE:BAX) today presented data showing how innovative dialysis systems with new remote connectivity may improve patient access to home therapy. The data, presented at the 52nd Congress of the European Renal Association and European Dialysis and Transplant Association (ERA-EDTA), includes the perceptions of more than 500 healthcare providers and patients regarding the benefits associated with advanced automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) cyclers with remote monitoring capabilities of home patients (Abstract # FP586), and several abstracts supporting cost-effectiveness and utility of High Dose Hemodialysis (HD).

"Baxter's focus is to understand and support access to the best renal replacement therapy options for every patient, whether it's performed in the home or in-center," said Bruce Culleton, M.D., vice president, renal therapeutic area lead, Baxter. "These data suggest new technologies may improve both physicians' and patients' experience and may reduce barriers to allow more patients to receive therapy in their home."

Home therapy is an important and often underutilized dialysis option. Globally, approximately 13 percent of dialysis patients are on home dialysis therapy, with the remaining patients on in-center treatment.1

The APD cycler study reported on results of phone and web-based surveys with patients, nephrologists and renal nurses in the United Kingdom and the United States to gauge the importance and utility of a cycler with remote monitoring features compared with a cycler without remote monitoring capability. Of those surveyed, 86 percent of the healthcare providers agreed an APD cycler with remote patient monitoring capabilities will provide them more confidence and control when managing peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. Patients also felt the new APD cycler may help reduce operator errors due to the user interface.

High Dose HD Home Therapy Assessed to be Cost-Effective
An additional study on the accessibility of home renal therapy included an analysis of the estimated cost-effectiveness attributable to High Dose HD. Because High Dose HD is performed more frequently, it is not typically performed in a clinic due to the high cost to administer. In an analysis of High Dose HD completed in the United Kingdom, Netherlands and France, High Dose HD at home was found to be cost-effective when compared to conventional in-center HD (ICHD) with the current reimbursement levels. However, High Dose HD when performed in-center versus ICHD was not cost-effective in France or the UK. This analysis also shows reimbursement could be raised to compensate providers for the increased costs and still maintain the efficiency to the relevant healthcare systems (Abstract #FP728).

Innovation Supports Individualized Care
Baxter recently completed CE marking (market approval) and unveiled the HOMECHOICE CLARIA APD system with SHARESOURCE at ERA-EDTA. SHARESOURCE, a remote monitoring system that allows healthcare professionals to deliver individualized patient care at home, is also available on the VIVIA hemodialysis system. The VIVIA hemodialysis system, designed to deliver High Dose HD therapy in the home, also completed the CE marking process in Europe in 2013. HOMECHOICE CLARIA, SHARESOURCE (web-based remote monitoring system) and the VIVIA system are currently not available in the United States.

"Baxter is dedicated to providing renal patients the best possible life by elevating the standards of care across all therapeutic options, whether that be in-center or home for chronic care, or in a hospital setting for acute care," said Jill Schaaf, president of Baxter's Renal business. "Our emphasis is on advancing innovation and supporting increased treatment options for ESRD patients and providers."
ERA-EDTA presentations may be available on the congress website following the conclusion of the meeting. For more information, log on to www.era-edta2015.org/.

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About Baxter
Baxter International Inc., through its subsidiaries, develops, manufactures and markets products that save and sustain the lives of people with hemophilia, immune disorders, cancer, infectious diseases, kidney disease, trauma and other chronic and acute medical conditions. As a global, diversified healthcare company, Baxter applies a unique combination of expertise in medical devices, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology to create products that advance patient care worldwide.

This release includes forward-looking statements concerning Baxter's HOMECHOICE CLARIA APD system with SHARESOURCE at ERA-EDTA and related clinical studies, including expectations regarding the potential impact on patients. The statements are based on assumptions about many important factors, including the following, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements: satisfaction of regulatory and other requirements; actions of regulatory bodies and other governmental authorities; product quality, manufacturing or supply issues; patient safety issues; changes in law and regulations; and other risks identified in Baxter's most recent filing on Form 10-K and other SEC filings, all of which are available on Baxter's website. Baxter does not undertake to update its forward-looking statements.

Baxter, HomeChoice Claria, High Dose HD, Sharesource and Vivia are trademarks of Baxter International Inc.

1Data on file, Baxter International Inc., 2015.