Overview
- The Nature Biomedical Engineering paper details an IBEC pipeline that generates human kidney organoids in large, uniform batches, reported at up to 30,000 units.
- Researchers implanted the organoids into porcine kidneys during normothermic machine perfusion, then autotransplanted the organs, with the human cells remaining integrated and active for 24–48 hours without acute immune reactions.
- ONT and four hospitals in A Coruña, Barcelona, Madrid and Santander are testing organoid implantation in donated kidneys initially deemed unusable, with no near-term plans to deliver organoids to patients.
- IBEC is making the production method available to other labs, enabling drug screening at scale and exploratory work on improving donor organs rather than creating lasting pig–human hybrids.
- The study tracked seven organs with short follow-up, and experts note unresolved questions on long-term function, immunity, vascularization and safety, which will require further research and regulatory review.