Quick links

Where research meets patient care: The 2025 ESICM–Fresenius Kabi Nutrition Research Award

Dr. Salvatore Lucio Cutuli from Italy receives the 2025 award for his study on high-dose protein in critically ill patients with acute kidney injury (on CVVH)

October 28, 2025

At the 38th Annual ESICM LIVES 2025 Congress in Munich, Dr. Salvatore Lucio Cutuli, Senior Physician at the ‘A. Gemelli’ University Hospital of Rome, Italy, was honored with the 2025 ESICM-Fresenius Kabi Clinical Nutrition Research Award. This award includes a €20,000 grant to support Dr. Cutuli’s project titled ‘High protein dosing to accelerate liberation from continuous kidney replacement therapy in critically ill patients with acute kidney injury: a randomized clinical trial’.

Supporting the most vulnerable patients

Patients in intensive care with organ dysfunction, such as acute kidney injury (AKI), are among the most vulnerable. Extracorporeal blood purification therapy leads to amino acid losses, making adequate medical nutrition essential to support recovery. Protein intake must be carefully tailored to individual metabolic needs and organ function. Dr. Cutuli’s study will address key gaps in nutritional management for patients undergoing continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). 

Dr. Cutuli explains: “My research will explore how high protein dosing can support accelerated patient recovery and reduce dependency on CRRT. We hope to provide further evidence for protein dosing in critically ill patients undergoing CRRT. If we can optimize nutritional therapy, we will be able to sustain patients through their taxing recovery journey and ultimately improve outcomes.”

Dr. Salvatore Lucio Cutuli (‘A. Gemelli’ University Hospital of Rome, Italy) is the winner of the 2025 ESICM–Fresenius Kabi Clinical Nutrition Research Award. In the image, he receives a €20,000 research grant from Prof. Jan De Wale (left) president of ESICM, and Prof. Ignacio Martin-Loeches (right), Chair of the ESICM Research Committee.

Commitment to better care

Continued medical education and research are essential for high-quality care throughout the patient journey. In partnership with the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine (ESICM) and other medical societies, Fresenius Kabi supports medical nutrition education through targeted programs and research initiatives. These efforts aim to meet the evolving needs of healthcare professionals and highlight the role of nutrition in intensive care.

“We believe in supporting practical research that directly responds to unmet clinical needs. Dr. Cutuli’s research is a perfect example of how targeted nutrition strategies can make a tangible difference in patient care”, said Dr. Robert Eichler, SVP Medical, Clinical & Scientific Affairs, at Fresenius Kabi.

Celebrating three years of the award

Now in its third year, the ESICM–Fresenius Kabi Clinical Nutrition Research Award continues to support practice-oriented studies in intensive care. In 2024, Dr. Sandra Emily Stoll from University Hospital Cologne received the award for her DeliKet Study on feeding strategies and postoperative delirium. In 2023, Prof. Arthur van Zanten was recognized for his work on gastrointestinal dysfunction and phosphate disorders in critically ill patients.

For more details, visit www.nutritionevents.com.