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.
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PorMedTec, a startup spun out of Meiji University, announced it will conduct clinical trials transplanting pig kidneys into patients at two hospitals—Hokkaido University Hospital in Sapporo and Shonan Kamakura General Hospital in Kamakura—as early as 2028. The pigs are genetically engineered by U.S. biotech firm eGenesis and have undergone 69 gene edits to suppress immune rejection and reduce disease transmission risk.
Why it matters
Japan faces a severe organ shortage, with more than 300,000 people on dialysis and roughly 15,000 waiting for a kidney transplant, while only about 200 transplants from brain-dead donors occur annually. Cross-species transplants could significantly expand access to organs. The Japanese government has designated this field as a key investment priority in its public-private roadmap.
What to watch
Four clinical trials in the United States have already shown promise, with patients reportedly avoiding dialysis treatment for around nine months at the longest. PorMedTec aims to secure production and marketing authorization after confirming safety in the Japanese trials.
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