The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has issued a patent on innovations related to cystic kidney disease. The innovation was created by Robert Bacallao of Indiana University School of Medicine, and James A. Glazier and Sherry G. Clendenon of IU Bloomington.

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease is among the most common inherited human diseases, with a prevalence of 1 in 400 to 1 in 1,000 people. Common symptoms include abdominal pain, urinary tract infection and hypertension.

Present treatment options include pain management, blood pressure management, dialysis and kidney transplant. The IU innovation could identify cystic kidney diseases, prevent their progression or treat them.

The innovation was disclosed to the IU Innovation and Commercialization Office. The mission of the office is to drive innovation to the market for the benefit of the public, the university and innovators for state, national and global commerce. IU personnel can disclose an invention online.