They are two US companies in the biotechnological sector. And they have already received the guarantee of the United States Food and Medicines Administration (FDA). They can already perform clinical tests with pig kidneys for transplants in humans. Yes: The future of transplants are pork kidneys for humans.
The United Therapeutics and Engenesis firms said it. They received the authorization to carry out these tests tests in humans to implant kidneys of the pigs. The objective is to treat the sufferings in that organ more effectively and address the lack of availability of human organs for donation.
Testing in humans
Both companies have carried out these experiments for about four years. First they did it with people with brain death and, subsequently, with individuals in normal health.
United Therapeutics reported in a statement that the FDA authorized to initiate a clinical study of the UKIDNEY in the investigation phase. They used a kidney that comes from a fountain pig with edited genes. The first phase will have the participation of six patients with terminal renal failure. Then up to 50 participants will be expanded.
«The authorization of our IND [solicitud de nuevo fármaco en fase de investigación] For this first clinical trial of a kidney represents an important step. We continue in our tireless mission to expand the availability of transplantable organs ». Leigh Peterson declared it. He is a Doctor and Executive Vice President of Products and Xenotransplants Development of United Therapeutics.
United Therapeutics hopes that the first xenotransplant of this essay will be carried out towards mid -2025. The kidneys produced by this company come from pigs that have been subjected to 10 genetic editions. Thus they managed to improve the compatibility of their organs with human guests.
Genetic changes
For his part, Engenesis told The New York Times that would begin their clinical tests with three patients with kidney failure. They will probably not receive a human organ within five years and expand the study from there.
Pork kidneys for humans are the result of multiple genetic adaptations. “We are entering an era of transformation of organ transplants.” It was pointed out by Mike Curtis, president and executive director of Engenesis. Pigs and genesis have been subjected to 69 genetic editions. This includes changes in 59 genes to inactivate viruses integrated in the pig genome.
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