Pig Kidney Functioned for 271 Days in Patient
A 66-year-old patient lived with a genetically engineered pig kidney for 271 days before receiving a human organ.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Biotech
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On Jan 25, 2025, a 66-year-old patient in the United States received a genetically engineered pig kidney under a USFDA Expanded Access Investigational New Drug application. The organ functioned for 271 days before the patient transitioned to a human donor kidney.
Why it matters
The transplant was conducted to bridge the significant gap between the high demand for organs and the limited availability of human donors for those with end-stage kidney failure.
The 66-year-old recipient experienced T-cell-mediated rejection signs on day 14 and a separate bacterial infection at roughly six months. Despite these complications, anti-HLA antibody levels in the patient did not increase during the 271-day period.
The players
Tim Andrews
Tim Andrews is the 66-year-old patient who served as the subject for this pioneering xenotransplantation study.
USFDA
The USFDA is the federal agency responsible for regulating medical products and authorizing the Expanded Access Investigational New Drug application.
The Lancet
The Lancet is a prestigious, peer-reviewed medical journal that published the findings of this case in September 2026.
The details
Doctors monitored the patient for organ function, rejection, and potential pathogen transmission throughout the process. Although the pig kidney suffered damage from thrombotic microangiopathy, it provided life-sustaining function for over nine months.
Timeline
Jan 25, 2025: The patient received the genetically engineered pig kidney.
Day 14 post-transplant: Immune T-cells began attacking the organ.
Approximately six months post-transplant: The patient developed a bacterial infection.
Sept 2026: The case was detailed in a Lancet research paper.
Deeper Dive
This procedure follows the protocols set forth by the FDA Expanded Access Investigational New Drug application to facilitate experimental clinical progress. The case marks a major milestone in xenotransplantation research, moving beyond laboratory models to real-world clinical application.
This breakthrough provides a potential roadmap for patients currently facing long waitlists for human organ donations. Future developments could expand the pool of available organs, potentially shortening the wait times for those with end-stage kidney failure.
The takeaway
The successful function of a porcine kidney for 271 days demonstrates significant progress in overcoming acute immune rejection hurdles in xenotransplantation. This outcome offers a glimpse into a future where bioengineered organs could bridge critical shortages in the medical system.
Further reading
For more on the current state of clinical research, see the Biotech section.
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