FDA greenlights trial for pig kidney transplant

Mass General Brigham, based in Somerville, Mass., and eGenesis have received FDA approval for a clinical trial testing genetically engineered pig kidneys. 

The trial will evaluate the safety, tolerability and efficacy of EGEN-2784, a genetically engineered pig kidney, after 24 weeks post-procedure, according to a Sept. 8 news release from eGenesis. Study participants will be patients who have end stage kidney disease, are 50 or older, are dependent on dialysis and are on the kidney transplant waitlist. 

Cambridge, Mass.-based eGenesis is a biotech company that researches and develops human-compatible engineered organs. EGEN-2784 is the company’s lead candidate for kidney transplantation, according to the release. 

The trial currently includes three patients. The first patient, a 67-year-old man, has surpassed seven months after the transplant, making him the world’s longest-living recipient of a genetically engineered pig kidney. He continues to live dialysis-free, according to the release.

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