FDA Approves First Clinical Trials for Pig Kidney Transplants in Humans

The groundbreaking trials aim to address the organ shortage crisis using genetically modified pig kidneys.

The FDA has authorized United Therapeutics and eGenesis to conduct clinical trials using genetically modified pig kidneys for human transplants.
United Therapeutics plans to begin with six patients suffering from end-stage renal disease, with the first transplant expected in mid-2025, and may expand to 50 participants if initial results are promising.
eGenesis received FDA approval in December 2024 for a smaller trial involving three patients who face low odds of receiving a human kidney within five years.
The trials aim to provide a solution for over 100,000 people on the U.S. transplant waitlist, including 90,000 in need of kidneys, with 12 people dying daily while waiting for a kidney transplant.
Participants will be monitored for survival, kidney function, and potential zoonotic infections, marking a significant step forward in xenotransplantation research.