Bempedoic acid therapy for polycystic kidney disease (BEAT-PKD) randomized clinical trial

The University of Vermont & State Agricultural College received an $8.49 million Project Grant from the Defense Health Agency (DHA) under the Military Medical Research and Development program (CFDA 12.420) for the BEMPEDOIC ACID THERAPY FOR POLYCYSTIC KIDNEY DISEASE (BEAT-PKD) Randomized Clinical Trial. The award was made on August 1, 2025, with an ultimate completion date of July 31, 2029. This clinical trial initiative represents a four-year research effort focused on investigating bempedoic acid as a potential therapeutic intervention for polycystic kidney disease, a significant health condition relevant to military service members and the broader public health mission.

The project delivers advanced biomedical research and clinical trial services centered on developing and testing a novel therapeutic approach to treat polycystic kidney disease. As a randomized clinical trial conducted at the Burlington, Vermont location, the research effort aligns with the DHA's mandate to support hypothesis-driven clinical research and therapeutic development aimed at transforming healthcare outcomes. The funding supports the comprehensive clinical trial infrastructure, patient recruitment and enrollment, data collection and analysis, and research personnel necessary to evaluate the efficacy and safety of bempedoic acid as a treatment modality for this chronic kidney disease.