ES — Español

UNIREN · High-Complexity Nephrology

Dr. Miguel Uriol Rivera

Glomerular Disease Specialist Nephrologist

25 years devoted to the most complex glomerular diseases. Research, clinical innovation and humanised patient care.

MD, PhD — Summa Cum Laude ORCID 0000-0003-1762-4226 Spanish GMC nº 292853588
25
Years of experience
in nephrology
300+
People with glomerular
disease followed
83
International congress
presentations
2
International
patent families

Your case is our priority

If you have found your way here, you are probably looking for a nephrologist who truly understands your condition and is willing to walk beside you. Dr. Uriol has spent over 25 years devoted to the most complex glomerular diseases — the kind that often lack a straightforward path and need a different approach. He graduated in Medicine from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid, completed his nephrology training at Hospital Universitario Son Dureta in Palma de Mallorca, and earned his PhD from the University of the Balearic Islands with the highest distinction (Cum Laude).

Over more than two decades at Hospital Universitari Son Espases, he led the Glomerular Disease Unit and co-directed the multidisciplinary team for thrombotic microangiopathy, caring for over 300 people with complex glomerular diseases. Not as numbers on a list, but as individuals with concerns, fears, and the need for someone who would explain clearly what was happening and what options they had.

Today he practises at HC Marbella and directs UNIREN, a hybrid nephrology care model born from a deep conviction: that a well-supported, well-informed patient with real access to their doctor achieves better outcomes. And that distance should never be a barrier to receiving the best care.

Complex glomerular diseases and refractory therapies

IgA Nephropathy

World pioneer in sequential off-label treatment for refractory forms. Published in Scientific Reports (2024), cited in 8 international journals.

Lupus Nephritis

Management of proliferative and membranous forms. Individualised induction and maintenance therapies.

ANCA Vasculitis

Experience with biologic therapies for refractory forms. Published in JASN 2022 on eculizumab in severe ANCA vasculitis. Cited in international review on complement in ANCA vasculitis (Sunmboye & Millan, 2026).

Membranous Nephropathy

Advanced diagnostic protocols (anti-PLA2R, anti-THSD7A) and targeted therapies.

Thrombotic Microangiopathy

TTP vs. aHUS differentiation with validated scores. Complement management and anti-C5 therapies. Published in PLOS One (2018) on multidisciplinary team management of TMA, cited 19 times including Intensive Care Medicine and Italian aHUS consensus guidelines.

Proteinuria & Nephrotic Syndrome

Comprehensive approach to resistant proteinuria. Molecular mechanisms of glomerular inflammation and fibrosis.

Translational science: from bench to bedside

Dr. Uriol's research programme connects the molecular biology of vitamin D with clinical nephrology practice. His doctoral thesis demonstrated the influence of vitamin D metabolism on erythropoiesis — findings that led to two international patents (EP 2018, US 2021) and the PRM1 therapeutic programme (Premedinn SL), currently in Phase II clinical development for inflammatory renal anaemia.

He has served as Principal Investigator in international clinical trials sponsored by Alexion and Novartis, and is a member of advisory boards for leading pharmaceutical companies. He is the creator of the RED-Life consortium.

Scientific Reports · 2024
Sequential administration of paricalcitol followed by IL-17 blockade for progressive refractory IgA nephropathy patients
First worldwide publication on this therapeutic combination · Cited in 8 journals, including The Journal of Immunology (2026), Current Medical Science (2025) and BMC Nephrology (Hui Sun et al., 2024)
JASN · 2022
Successful Treatment With Eculizumab in Patients With Severe ANCA Vasculitis
SA-PO695 · ASN Kidney Week 2022 · DOI: 10.1681/ASN.20223311S1794c · Cited in: The Complement System in ANCA-Associated Vasculitis (Sunmboye & Millan, 2026)
PLOS One · 2018
Impact of a multidisciplinary team for the management of thrombotic microangiopathy
19 citations · 611 reads · DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0206558 · Cited in Intensive Care Medicine and Italian aHUS consensus guidelines (Pharmacological Research, 2025)
JASN · 2023
Human-C Project: humanisation and telemedicine programme in glomerular diseases
Abstract presented at ASN Kidney Week
NDT · 2025
Human-C Project: 4-year outcomes of the hybrid care model
Abstract published in Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation

The Human-C Project

Dr. Uriol created and led the Human-C Project, a pioneering programme of humanisation and structured telemedicine for people with chronic glomerular diseases. Designed to deliver continuous, accessible, patient-centred follow-up, the project produced results published in the two highest-impact nephrology journals worldwide.

4-Year Evidence: JASN 2023 · NDT 2025

The hybrid model demonstrated quantifiable improvements in patient experience and care efficiency, validated with objective metrics and published in peer-reviewed journals.

72%
Improvement in quality of life
458 h
Hours saved for patients over 4 years

Referenced by world-leading centres of excellence

Dr. Uriol's work has been recognised internationally by leading institutions. Harvard formally requested his expert evaluation for the academic promotion of an immunologist. Physicians at the University of Utah cited his pioneering work when applying a treatment to save a paediatric kidney transplant. His team at Son Espases was the only hospital in Spain and Europe cited alongside Mayo Clinic, Massachusetts General Hospital, Cincinnati Children's and Johns Hopkins in a landmark publication on thrombotic microangiopathy.

Hui Sun, a researcher with publications in Cell, Nature and Science, cited Dr. Uriol as the first worldwide to use an innovative off-label therapy in IgA nephropathy.

Close to you, wherever you are

We know what it means to live with a chronic kidney disease: the uncertainty, the questions between appointments, the feeling that sometimes there is no one to ask. UNIREN was created to change that. Our model combines in-person consultations at HC Marbella with structured telemedicine follow-up, so you can have your nephrologist available without distance being a barrier.

We do not replace your local nephrologist — we work in coordination with them. We offer you a specialised second opinion, longitudinal follow-up tailored to your disease, and above all the reassurance that your case is being reviewed by someone with extensive experience in complex glomerular disease.

Serendipia: an association born to accompany and guide

In June 2024, Dr. Uriol had the privilege of seeing and celebrating the creation of Serendipia, the first association for people and families affected by glomerular disease in the Balearic Islands. Because we understand that a kidney condition does not only affect the kidney — it affects your life, your work, your family, and the way you see yourself.

Serendipia was born from the conviction that people living with glomerular disease need more than medication: they need community, reliable information, emotional support, and a voice that represents them. If you or your family live with a glomerular condition, you are not alone.

We are here to help

If you are looking for a specialised assessment, a second opinion, or close follow-up for your glomerular disease, get in touch. In-person care at HC Marbella and telemedicine follow-up.

WhatsApp dr.uriol@uniren.es HC Marbella Info →

Patient information