Davita Inc Stock Price, News & Analysis

DaVita and partners successfully increased COVID-19 vaccine access for end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients, reducing racial disparities. A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine shows that vaccination coverage rose significantly among Hispanic, Black, and Asian patients at dialysis centers. Results highlighted that by June 2021, vaccination rates for Hispanic and Asian patients exceeded those of white patients. Overall, 50.7% of vaccinated patients received their shots in a dialysis clinic. Researchers advocate for prioritizing dialysis centers for future vaccine allocations.

Pathalys Pharma, a late-stage biopharmaceutical company, has been established with seed financing from DaVita Venture Group and Catalys Pacific. The company focuses on chronic kidney disease (CKD) treatments, starting with the investigational drug upacicalcet, which has demonstrated efficacy in Japan. Pathalys plans to conduct two phase 3 clinical trials in the U.S. for upacicalcet to treat secondary hyperparathyroidism in hemodialysis patients. Neal Fowler, a former CEO at Liquidia, has been appointed as CEO, enhancing the leadership team's industry experience.

DaVita Clinical Research published a study confirming that dialysis patients vaccinated with the adenovirus vector-based COVID-19 vaccine (Johnson & Johnson) experienced similar rates of breakthrough infections, hospitalizations, and mortality compared to those vaccinated with the mRNA-based vaccine (Pfizer/BioNTech). The study analyzed 2,572 matched pairs from Feb. 27 to Sept. 28, 2021, showing no significant differences in outcomes over the first six months. This research reassures the efficacy of adenovirus vaccinations for this vulnerable population.

DaVita Kidney Care appointed Dr. Mihran Naljayan as chief medical officer of Home Modalities, succeeding Dr. Martin Schreiber. Dr. Naljayan, who joined DaVita in 2016, previously served as vice president of clinical affairs, overseeing a 35% increase in home dialysis treatments. His focus will remain on expanding access to home dialysis care. Dr. Schreiber will continue to support home patients part-time as a consultant. DaVita aims to enhance kidney care quality while improving patient access to home treatment options.

On February 14, 2022, DaVita announced it will provide four consecutive weeks of paid leave for employees who donate their bone marrow, liver, or kidney. This initiative aims to alleviate concerns about lost wages during the recovery period after donation, which typically follows a 4-6 day hospital stay. Over 106,000 individuals are currently awaiting organ transplants in the U.S., while approximately 6,500 living donor transplants were conducted in 2021. DaVita's recent investments in transplant innovations, including the acquisition of MedSleuth, reflect its commitment to improving organ donation accessibility.

DaVita reported strong financial results for 2021, with diluted earnings per share rising to $8.90, up 39.3% year-over-year. The company achieved consolidated revenues of $11.619 billion for the year, a growth driven by favorable government rates and an improved commercial mix. Operating income reached $1.797 billion, with fourth-quarter earnings also showing a significant increase. Despite the challenges posed by COVID-19, DaVita's dedication to patient care remained strong, leading to effective financial performance.

DaVita Inc. (NYSE: DVA) announced its quarterly conference call to discuss fourth quarter results scheduled for February 10, 2022, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Results will be released after market close on the same day. The call will be webcast and accessible via DaVita's investor relations website. DaVita, a leading kidney care provider, serves 203,000 patients at 2,822 outpatient dialysis centers in the U.S. and operates in ten countries worldwide. The company focuses on improving healthcare delivery and clinical quality.

On January 19, 2022, DaVita Integrated Kidney Care launched 11 value-based care programs aimed at supporting approximately 25,000 kidney patients across the U.S. These initiatives align with the government's new Kidney Care Choices (KCC) model, which commenced on January 1, 2022, and spans five years. The program encourages proactive management of chronic kidney disease (CKD) to reduce the need for emergency dialysis, ultimately improving patient outcomes and reducing costs. DaVita IKC aims to double patient participation in integrated kidney care within the first performance year.

On January 18, 2022, DaVita announced its acquisition of MedSleuth, a software company focused on improving kidney and liver transplantation processes. This acquisition enhances DaVita's commitment to innovation in transplant care, aiming to streamline access and improve patient outcomes. MedSleuth’s BREEZE™ software aids in candidate evaluation and increases living donation rates, while MATCHGRID™ improves donor-recipient matching. With this purchase, DaVita aims to break down barriers in kidney care, enhancing health equity and patient experiences in transplantation.