For children living with glomerular diseases (GD), access to clinical trials can be life-changing. But across the world, opportunities to participate in research are not evenly available, and conducting pediatric trials can be complex.
Clinical Trials Bootcamp: The Foundation
In 2025, the International Society of Glomerular Disease (ISGD) conducted its inaugural Clinical Trials Bootcamp (CTB) at the ESPN meeting in Athens, Greece. Aimed at demystifying and inspiring clinical trial participation, the program was chaired by Dr. William Smoyer, Dr. Louise Oni, Dr. Barbara Gillespie, Dr. Jun Oh, and Dr. Jule Pinter.
Participants, who overwhelmingly noted a lack of formal clinical trial training, embraced the curriculum and felt inspired to pursue clinical research themselves. The event’s success prompted three additional pediatric CTBs and one adult CTB in 2026.
This success and rapid expansion precipitated the need for a dedicated working group to guide future ISGD programming and address the key barriers facing pediatric GD trials. These challenges are real, but so is the opportunity to change them.
Introducing GD-Kids, an ISGD Working Group
ISGD is bringing together pediatric nephrologists and industry partners from around the world through this new initiative, led by chairs Dr. Myda Khalid and Dr. Scott Wenderfer; with the advisement of Dr. Jun Oh, Prof. Louise Oni, and Dr. William Smoyer; and with the support of ISGD Board Member Dr. Marina Vivarelli.
GD-Kids brings together global experts with a shared mission: Advancing global therapeutic development in children with glomerular disease.
Rather than tackling these challenges in isolation, the group will focus on building connections between investigators, clinical sites, sponsors, institutions, and other partners. Together, the group will work on forward-looking projects that will:
- Build capacity for pediatric clinical trials around the world
- Strengthen collaboration across centers, regions, and disciplines
- Promote equitable access to clinical trials, particularly in underrepresented regions
- Develop shared approaches and best practices for trial design, start-up, and execution
“This timely initiative by the ISGD will bring pediatric nephrology experts in glomerular diseases together, to accelerate development of much needed treatments for children with rare kidney diseases all over the world.”
Dr. Marina Vivarelli, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Italy
Understanding the Barriers—and Finding Solutions
One of GD-Kids’ first priorities will be to better understand the current global landscape. A survey of experienced investigators and clinical trial sites will examine what is standing in the way of pediatric GD research, what approaches are already working, and what support sites need to participate successfully.
GD-Kids will also look closely at trial design, including appropriate endpoints, eligibility criteria, and the use of biomarkers, while working to strengthen the infrastructure needed to bring studies to more children around the world.
Finally, GD-Kids will look at lessons from successful studies in pediatric nephrology and explore how those approaches can be shared more broadly. Educational opportunities, including ISGD webinars, will help bring these insights to the wider pediatric nephrology community.
Building What Comes Next
Pediatric glomerular disease research and treatment is entering an important period of opportunity. New therapies are being studied, clinical trial activity is growing, and the global pediatric nephrology community is increasingly connected.
By working together, we can help create a treatment environment where more children can participate in research and receive cutting-edge treatments, and where investigators and sites are better prepared to make those trials successful.
Meet GD-Kids
The inaugural Working Group includes:
Working Group Chairs
- Dr. Myda Khalid, Indiana University, USA
- Dr. Scott Wenderfer, University of British Columbia, Canada
Working Group Advisors
- Dr. Jun Oh, University of Heidelberg, Germany
- Prof. Louise Oni, University College London & University of Liverpool, UK
- Dr. William Smoyer, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, USA
ISGD Board Member
- Dr. Marina Vivarelli, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Italy
Working Group Members
- Dr. Alexandra Cambier, CHU Sainte Justine, Canada
- Dr. Eugene Chan, Hong Kong Children's Hospital, Hong Kong
- Dr. Chikako Terano, Kitasato University School of Medicine, Japan
- Dr. Ankana Daga, Boston Children's Hospital, USA
- Dr. Alison Ma, Hong Kong Children's Hospital, Hong Kong
- Dr. Matko Marlais, Great Ormond Street Hospital, UK
- Dr. William Morello, University of Milan, Italy
- Dr. Yuko Shima, Wakayama Medical University, Japan
- Prof. Aditi Sinha, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, India
Industry Representatives
- Dr. Jennifer McKenzie, Boehringer Ingelheim, USA
- Dr. Sheena Patel, Sobi, UK
The group will continue expanding its network and connecting pediatric nephrology communities around the world. ISGD will share updates, educational opportunities, survey results, and ways to get involved.
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