Kevin Chung Received 2026 Combat Nephrology Award
The SeaStar Medical executive earned the honor for his work on renal support in trauma and combat environments.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Stroke
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SeaStar Medical Chief Medical Officer Kevin Chung received the 2026 Combat Nephrology Award for his contributions to renal care. The recognition coincides with the Update in Critical Care Nephrology meeting currently held in Madrid.
Why it matters
The award honors clinicians whose work bridge the gap between military medicine and civilian nephrology to treat patients in extreme trauma situations. It highlights advancements in therapies designed to neutralize over-active immune cells.
Clinical evaluations of the SCD therapy showed a 77% survival rate and 87.5% kidney function recovery by Day 60. The ongoing NEUTRALIZE-AKI trial is currently assessing 339 adults to measure efficacy metrics.
The players
Kevin Chung
He is the Chief Medical Officer at SeaStar Medical and an expert in critical care nephrology.
SeaStar Medical
This company develops medical technologies focused on neutralizing hyper-inflammatory responses in patients.
Claudio Ronco
He is a prominent nephrologist and the recipient of the 2025 Combat Nephrology Award.
The details
The award recognizes the development of SCD therapy, which works to stop cytokine storms by neutralizing over-active immune cells. Kevin Chung, based in Denver, leads clinical strategy at the company responsible for the treatment, which received a Humanitarian Device Exemption in early 2024.
Timeline
February 2024: QUELIMMUNE received a Humanitarian Device Exemption.
February 2026: QUELIMMUNE SAVE Registry data was published.
October 14, 2026: The Update in Critical Care Nephrology meeting began in Madrid.
October 15, 2026: Kevin Chung will deliver a keynote presentation.
Health Landscape
This award reflects the broader clinical recognition of novel therapies currently under evaluation in programs like the NEUTRALIZE-AKI trial. Such honors bridge the gap between military trauma research and standard civilian medical care protocols.
The recognition of this therapy highlights potential advancements in treatments for severe kidney injury and trauma. Patients should consult medical providers regarding the availability and clinical application of approved renal support devices.
The takeaway
The Combat Nephrology Award underscores the importance of refining immune-modulating treatments for high-risk trauma patients. Clinicians continue to leverage data from registries and trials to improve survival rates for those suffering from acute kidney failure.
What happens next
Kevin Chung is scheduled to deliver a keynote presentation at the Update in Critical Care Nephrology meeting on October 15, 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest innovations in Stroke research and patient outcomes.
More information
For more information, visit the complete risk information page provided by the company.
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