Weekly issue 2026-W38 ·
PKD Cures Act (H.R. 9169) introduced in the U.S. House to expand NIH research on polycystic kidney disease
Plain language
On 4 June 2026, four U.S. House members from both parties introduced the PKD Cures Act. The bill would ask the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) to expand research on polycystic kidney disease — from how the disease works to testing new and existing treatments — and to set up a working group, including patient organisations, to draw up a research roadmap. It is backed by the PKD Foundation, the National Kidney Foundation, the American Kidney Fund and the American Society of Nephrology. It is a proposal sent to committee, not a law, and it does not change care today.
Clinical note
U.S. legislative advocacy, not clinical evidence. H.R. 9169 (119th Congress; introduced 4 Jun 2026, referred to House Energy and Commerce) would amend the PHS Act to direct NIDDK to expand basic, translational and clinical PKD research, collaborate with public/private partners and support PKD training, and direct NIH to convene a roadmap working group (nephrology, genetics and cell-biology experts plus patient advocacy) reporting to Congress within 24 months of enactment. Endorsed by PKD Foundation, NKF, AKF and ASN. No practice change. Status on congress.gov as of 18 Oct 2026: introduced and referred to committee (no further action).
Question for your next visit
Are there patient organisations, registries or research studies near me that I could join to support research on polycystic kidney disease?