More Than $3.7 Million In Research Approved to Find Cure For World's Most Common Life-
Threatening Genetic Disease

PKD Foundation awards 16 grants and 12 fellowships for 2006

(Kansas City) February 1, 2006— Patients living with polycystic kidney disease (PKD) now have new hope for a treatment or cure. The PKD Foundation will fund $3.7 million in PKD research this year. That includes $1.64 million in new research grants and fellowships and additional funding for 35 PKD research-related projects already in progress.

“This is important news for the 12.5 million people worldwide who suffer from polycystic kidney disease (PKD),” said PKD Foundation President and CEO Dan Larson. “Research renews their hope that future generations will benefit from a cure or improved treatment for polycystic kidney disease (PKD). The PKD Foundation will continue to support cutting edge research.”

PKD is the world’s most common life-threatening genetic disease, affecting 1 in 500 people regardless of sex, age, race or ethnic origin. For the 600,000 Americans suffering from PKD, fluid-filled cysts grow on the kidneys. Over time, these cysts get bigger and multiply, often leading to kidney failure. Dialysis and transplantation are the only options. Currently, there is no treatment and no cure.

The PKD Foundation awarded 16 grants at $65,000 each, and 12 fellowships at $50,000 each after receiving a record number of research applications from around the world. The not-for-profit PKD Foundation is the only organization, worldwide, dedicated to finding a treatment and a cure for this devastating disease. For more information about PKD and the PKD Foundation, visit www.pkdcure.org or call 1-800-PKD-CURE.