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Ardelyx Announces Recipients of the 2026 Derek Forfang Patient Advocate Award
Award recognizes leading chronic kidney disease advocates WALTHAM, Mass., March 12, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ardelyx, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARDX), a commercial-stage
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[{"type":"text","content":"Award recognizes leading chronic kidney disease advocates\nWALTHAM, Mass., March 12, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ardelyx, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARDX), a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative medicines that meet significant unmet medical needs, announced the recipients of the 2026 Derek Forfang Patient Advocate Award: Edward Drake II, Markesha Grayson, Timmy Nelson, Pesh Patel and Glenda Roberts. Established in 2025, this award honors Derek Forfang, a passionate patient advocate who suffered from chronic kidney disease (CKD) and passed away due to issues related to his disease in 2023. Derek worked tirelessly to improve the lives of patients, families and caregivers in the CKD community. Candidates for the award were nominated by the community at large, with the recipients selected by Ardelyx’s Derek Forfang Patient Advisory Council based on their achievements and contributions to advocate for patients who suffer with CKD. “This year’s Derek Forfang Patient Advocate Award recipients exemplify what it means to be champions for patients,” said Laura Williams, M.D., M.P.H, chief patient officer and interim chief medical officer of Ardelyx. “Their work reflects a deep understanding of the real challenges kidney patients face, and they channel that understanding into meaningful action. Whether it’s elevating the lived experience in research and policy conversations, guiding others through their transplant journey or advocating for communities traditionally underrepresented in kidney care, they bring insight and empathy that cannot be replaced or taken for granted. These advocates remind us that progress happens when patient voices are heard and incorporated in our organizational processes, and we are truly honored to recognize them.\" Recipients of the Derek Forfang Patient Advocate Award will be honored during a reception at the upcoming National Kidney Foundation (NKF) Spring Clinical Meetings in New Orleans. Learn more about each of the recipients: Edward Drake II is a transplant recipient who has spent nearly two decades transforming his personal battle with kidney failure – which ended his path as a collegiate football player – into a lifelong mission of service and empowerment. In 2007, Edward founded The Youth Needing Organ & Tissue Transplants Foundation, which has helpe...