Overview
- In January 2025 a 66‑year‑old man received a gene‑edited Yucatan pig kidney that worked immediately and kept him off dialysis for 271 days before the xenograft was removed and he received a deceased‑donor human kidney in January 2026.
- The pig kidney ultimately failed after about six months when clinicians reduced immunosuppression during a bacterial infection and the graft developed progressive microvascular inflammation, endothelial injury and thrombotic microangiopathy.
- Researchers report intensive monitoring found no evidence of pig viruses or other porcine pathogens at any point and follow‑up after the human transplant showed immediate function with no detected sensitization.
- The procedure was carried out under an FDA Expanded Access investigational new drug pathway using a kidney supplied by eGenesis, and study authors disclosed institutional funding and multiple financial ties to industry.
- Authors and commentators say the case strengthens xenotransplantation’s promise as a temporary bridge to human organs but warn that larger controlled trials, better immunosuppression strategies, donor gene edits and robust zoonotic and governance safeguards are needed before broader use.