Engineered Pig Kidneys Demonstrate Early Success in Humans

Five patients at Massachusetts General Hospital have received pig kidneys grown in Yucatan miniature pigs engineered to reduce immune rejection. In three cases the kidneys functioned for more than eight months without rejection or dialysis; one patient later required a human donor kidney, but the pig-kidney period did not hinder overall transplant success. The trials are aimed at addressing the organ shortage and could serve as a bridge or destination therapy if long‑term safety is proven. The FDA has authorised an expanded trial of 33 patients across up to 10 US centers to begin next year, with plans to broaden to Japan and move toward marketing approval by 2029.