Pig Kidney Transplant Survives Over Nine Months, Setting New Human Survival Record
A 66-year-old man with end-stage kidney disease survived 271 days off dialysis after a genetically modified pig kidney was transplanted into him, the longest such outcome recorded.
A woman underwent a transplant of a genetically modified pig kidney at Massachusetts General Hospital on November 22 and has remained dialysis-free for 285 days, setting a new record. eGenesis used CRISPR to delete pig genes that cause immune reactions and to insert several human genes, making the organ more compatible. The previous benchmark of 271 days was set by Tim Andrews, whose kidney later failed due to tiny blood clots.
Researchers are adjusting immunosuppressant regimens based on those findings. With over 95,000 Americans waiting for kidneys, pig organs could serve as a temporary solution under the FDA’s expanded-access program. eGenesis has FDA approval for a formal trial of up to 33 patients starting in 2027 and aims to reach a one-year functional lifespan for pig kidneys.
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