Japanese startup to test pig kidney transplants in humans by 2028

Key takeaway

• Japanese startup PorMedTec plans to begin clinical trials of pig kidney transplants into human patients at two Japanese hospitals as early as 2028, using genetically engineered pigs from U.S. biotech firm eGenesis.

• With more than 300,000 Japanese people on dialysis and only about 200 kidney transplants from brain-dead donors conducted annually, cross-species transplants represent a potential solution to Japan's chronic organ shortage, which the government has now prioritized as a key investment area.

3 Key Points

FAQ

When will the clinical trials start?

PorMedTec plans to conduct the clinical trials as early as 2028 at Hokkaido University Hospital in Sapporo and Shonan Kamakura General Hospital in Kamakura.

How have pig kidneys performed in previous trials?

Four clinical trials have been conducted in the United States, with patients who underwent the surgery reportedly not having to receive dialysis treatment for around nine months at the longest.

Why is this needed in Japan?

More than 300,000 people in Japan are currently on dialysis due to renal problems and some 15,000 are waiting for a kidney transplant, while cases of transplants from brain-dead donors total roughly 200 a year, indicating a serious organ shortage.