Kidney Xenotransplantation:
Information and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for Patients, Families and Care Partners
Information in this tool was last updated on 5/15/2026
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In collaboration with:
© 2026 National Kidney Foundation, Inc
Menu
Definitions
Background
Basic Information
Xenokidney Genetic Modifications
Considerations: Risks & Benefits
Experience to Date: Compassionate Use Cases
Resources
Clinical Trials
NKF Podcasts
References
Contact Info & Feedback
Next
© 2026 National Kidney Foundation, Inc
Background
Kidney xenotransplantation is a way to test whether transplanting a kidney from a genetically modified pig into a human with advanced kidney disease is safe. Kidney xenotransplantation is not yet available as a standard treatment option. However, research studies (“clinical trials”) are starting to test whether kidney xenotransplantation is safe. This guide answers common questions about kidney xenotransplantation. It is meant for patients, families, and care partners who want clear, trustworthy, and up-to-date information about this fast-changing area of research. The goal is to help you have informed discussions and decision-making. In this guide, you will find simple explanations of what is already known—and not yet known—about kidney xenotransplantation, including possible harms, benefits, and uncertainties. This guide is a starting point. If you are thinking about joining a clinical trial, talk with your transplant team about the risks and benefits of being in a trial, and other options you may have. If you choose to join a trial, the transplant team can help you review the informed consent forms. This guide was developed through a collaboration by the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) and the Kidney Health Initiative (KHI) within the American Society of Nephrology (ASN), and is co-chaired by Dr. Vineeta Kumar and Dr. Elisa Gordon. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) contributed subject matter support. The content draws on: existing research; patient-submitted questions; and ongoing discussions with people living with kidney disease.
The field of Kidney Xenotransplantation is going through many fast changes. As we learn and make progress, we will share updates here—so please check back often.
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© 2026 National Kidney Foundation, Inc
Definitions
Click the buttons below to learn the definition of each word or phrase.
Allotransplantation (al-oh-trans-plan-TAY-shin)
Research
Clinical Trials
Xenotransplant/Xenotransplantation (zee-no-trans-plan-TAY-shin)
Xenokidney (ZEE-no-kid-nee)
Immunosuppression
Pig Genetic Modification (or gene editing)
Zoonotic Infection (zow-uh-naa-tik)
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© 2026 National Kidney Foundation, Inc
Basic Information
Click the buttons to learn the answer to each question.
What is kidney xenotransplation?
Why do we need kidney xenotransplantation?
Why are pigs chosen as a source of kidneys?
What does it mean that the pigs are "genetically modified"?
Is Xenotransplatantation experimental?
Next
Back
© 2026 National Kidney Foundation, Inc
Considerations: Risks & Benefits
Click the buttons to learn the answer to each question.
What are the risks?
Are there any potential benefits?
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© 2026 National Kidney Foundation, Inc
Xenokidney Genetic Modifications
Scientists are working to make pig kidneys safer and more compatible for people who need a transplant. One important part of this work involves genetic modification, which means changing the pig’s genes to help the kidney function more like a human kidney. These changes can lower the chance of fast rejection, help the organ work smoothly with human blood and immunity, and reduce the risk of pig-related infections. This table gives a high-level overview of leading xenotransplantation companies and the types of genetic modifications they use. It is meant to help patients and families understand the general strategies researchers are using to make xenotransplantation a safe and effective option in the future.
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© 2026 National Kidney Foundation, Inc
Experience to Date from the Compassionate Use Cases
The initial xenotransplant procedures performed in the United States were conducted under the FDA’s Expanded Access pathway, sometimes called Compassionate Use. This pathway allows doctors to offer an experimental therapy to a patient with a serious or life-threatening condition, if no other comparable options exist.
These early cases provided important insights that helped inform the design of future clinical trials. Now that clinical trials have started, the identities and medical details of trial participants will be confidential. We do not have and will not release any information on clinical trial participants. For this reason, this section will summarize only the early, publicly reported compassionate use xenokidney cases, not any future clinical trial participants.
Review Timeline
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© 2026 National Kidney Foundation, Inc
Experience to Date from the Compassionate Use Cases
Status of compassionate use cases (as of April 15, 2026)
March 16, 2024
Richard "Rick" Slayman
November 25, 2024
Towana Looney
June 14, 2025
Bill Stewart
Timothy Andrews
January 25, 2025
Lisa Pisano
April 12, 2024
Next
Back
BAck
© 2026 National Kidney Foundation, Inc
Clinical Trials
Clinical trials for kidney xenotransplantation began enrolling participants in late 2025, marking an important step toward understanding how pig kidneys may work in people. These early trials involve a small group of volunteers who are seeking a kidney transplant and agree to participate under very close medical supervision.
The studies are designed to answer key questions about safety, how well the kidney functions, how long it lasts, and what kinds of support patients may need throughout the process. This section provides an overview of where they are being conducted, who may be eligible, what informed consent means, and what kinds of support are available to participants and families.
Will patients have to sign an informed consent form to participate in the trial?
Where are clinical trials being conducted?
What support will trial participants receive?
Who can participate in clinical trials?
Next
Back
© 2026 National Kidney Foundation, Inc
Questions you can ask your health care provider about clinical trials
Consider asking your health care provider the questions linked below to help you make an informed decision. If you are thinking about taking part in a trial, carefully review the informed consent form provided by the transplant center. The informed consent process is a great opportunity to ask any questions you may still have. You are encouraged to ask as many questions as you would like.
Clinical Process & Follow-up
Eligibility & Access
Risk, Outcomes, & Future Options
Privacy, Support & Media
Financial Considerations
Next
Back
© 2026 National Kidney Foundation, Inc
Resources
Patient Engagement with Xenotransplantation
Organizations
NKF's Patient-Focused Drug Development Meeting on Kidney Xenotransplantation Page
NKF's Kidney Xenotransplantation Page
FDA's Xenotransplantation Page
Voice of the Patient: Report on the Externally Led Patient-Focused Drug Development Meeting on Kidney Xenotransplantation
Research
Clinical Trials
Patients’ Information Needs for Informed Consent to Participate in First-in-Human Pig Kidney Xenotransplant Clinical Trials
- A conversation with Xeno transplantation Expers (aired February 25, 2026)
Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of the 10 GE Xenokidney in Patients With ESRD
- Xenotransplantation: Updates on Animal-toHuman Transplants (Audio from NKF webinar on Kidney Xenotransplantation, aired July 21, 2024)
A Decision Aid for Patients Considering Participating in a Pig Kidney Xenotransplant Clinical Trial
- Pig kidneys in humans? Xenotransplantation explained.
Xenotransplantation of a Porcine Kidney for End-Stage Kidney Disease
Next
Back
© 2026 National Kidney Foundation, Inc
NKF Podcasts
Hot Topics in Kidney Health: A Patient Podcast by NKF
Status of compassionate use cases (as of April 15, 2026)
Status of compassionate use cases (as of April 15, 2026)
Status of compassionate use cases (as of April 15, 2026)
Status of compassionate use cases (as of April 15, 2026)
Next
Back
© 2026 National Kidney Foundation, Inc
References
Hilliard-Boone, T., DePatie, H. (2024). Preparing Patients, Care Partners, and Clinicians for Discussions About Xenotransplantation: A Kidney Transplant Research Possibility. American Institutes for Research. Available at https://www.air.org/sites/default/files/2024-03/Xenotransplantation-Issue%20Brief-March-2024.pdf
06
Baliker M, Roberts GV. Patient Perspective on xenotransplantation. Kidney360. 2022;3(11):1953-1954. Published 2022 Oct 11. doi:10.34067/KID.0003542022
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9717639/pdf/KID.0003542022.pdf
01
Fowler KJ, Evans VA, Kumar V, Ross J. Xenotransplantation and the role of the patient voice. Kidney360. 2023;5(1):110-112. doi:10.34067/kid.0000000000000310
https://journals.lww.com/kidney360/fulltext/2024/01000/xenotransplantation_and_the_role_of_the_patient.14.aspx
02
07
Hilliard-Boone, Tandrea, et al. “Understanding What Patients and Families Living with Kidney Failure Want and Need to Know about Kidney Transplant Research Possibilities: Interview Summary Report.” American Society of Nephrology. (2022)
08
Murphy, Heather et al., “The Voice of the Patient: Externally-Led Patient-Focused Drug Development Meeting on Kidney Xenotransplantation.” National Kidney Foundation. (2024)
https://www.kidney.org/sites/default/files/2024-11/NKF_Xeno%20VoP_Final.pdf
Gordon, Elisa J., et al. "Patients’ Information Needs for Informed Consent to Participate in First‐in‐Human Pig Kidney Xenotransplant Clinical Trials: A Mixed Methods Study." Xenotransplantation 32.1 (2025): e70016.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/xen.70016
03
09
2024 Annual Report of the U.S. Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network and the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients: Transplant Data 2024. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Healthcare Systems Bureau, Division of Transplantation, Rockville, MD; United Network for Organ Sharing, Richmond, VA; University Renal Research and Education Association, Ann Arbor, MI. http://optn.transplant.hrsa.gov This work was supported in part by Health Resources and Services Administration contract HHSH250-2019-00001C. The content is the responsibility of the authors alone and does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Department of Health and Human Services, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.
Gordon, Elisa J., et al. "Transplant Patients’ Perceptions About Participating in First‐in‐Human Pig Kidney Xenotransplant Clinical Trials: A Mixed Methods Study." Xenotransplantation 32.1 (2025): e70013.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/xen.70013
04
Houston, Michelle L., Karen J. Maschke, Michael K. Gusmano, and Elisa J. Gordon. "Ethical Analysis of Voluntariness in Pig Kidney Xenotransplant First‐in‐Human Clinical Trials." Xenotransplantation 32, no. 3 (2025): e70052.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12101099/
05
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© 2026 National Kidney Foundation, Inc
Thank You!
As kidney xenotransplantation moves into the early stages of clinical trials, it is important to remember that this process will take time. Many scientific, medical, and ethical questions must be answered before xenotransplantation can be considered a safe and reliable treatment option for people with kidney disease. Clinical trials are designed to carefully study safety, effectiveness, durability, immune responses, and long-term outcomes. Your perspectives and questions remain essential as this work progresses, and we are committed to keeping patients informed every step of the way.
We'd love to hear your thoughts on this resource!
Share Your Feedback
Do you have questions about kidney disease, dialysis or transplant?
Email: nkfcares@kidney.org | Call: 855.653.2273 | M-F, 9am–7pm ET
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© 2026 National Kidney Foundation, Inc
Allotransplantation: A typical human-to-human transplant: when a person gets an organ, like a kidney, heart, or liver, from another human being. The organ can come from someone who has died (deceased donor) or from a living person who donates it (living donor).
Why are pigs chosen as a source of kidneys?
- Pigs are chosen because their kidneys are similar in size and function to human kidneys.
- Scientists can genetically modify pigs to reduce the chances that the human immune system will immediately reject the organ (this quick form of rejection is called "hyper acute" rejection).
- Pigs grow and have piglets quickly, and each mother pig has many piglets at once. Therefore, scientists can use pigs as a steady source of organs for poeople who need transplants.
Richard “Rick” Slayman
Date of Xenotransplant: March 16, 2024 Type of Transplant: Xenokidney (EGEN-2784) Graft Function (Duration): 6 months Status: Died at 6 months on May 11, 2024 Publication: NJEM
Privacy, Support & Media
- How will my privacy be protected during the trial?
- What help/support should I expect if I participated in this trial to navigate media attention?
Clinical Trials: A medical research study or experiment with real people that carefully tests if a medicine, treatment, or surgery is safe and if it works. Before any treatment can be offered to a patient, it has to be tested in research studies. The people in the clinical trial are followed very closely to make sure they are safe, and the doctors check the results to see if the study treatment works as well as or better than proven treatments.
A treatment could be a drug, medical device, or biologic such as a vaccine, blood product, gene therapy, or a xenokidney transplant.
A clinical trial is carefully designed and monitored to safeguard the participants’ health and safety to answer specific research questions. In current xenokidney clinical trials, medical researchers are conducting studies in people with end-stage kidney disease to learn about:
- the safety of implanted xenokidneys
- possible side-effects
- whether the treatment works as well or better than proven treatments
Click for information on the current clinical trials.
Why are scientists researching pig kidney transplants?
- The demand for donor kidneys far exceeds the supply. Over 90,000 people are waiting for a kidney transplant in the U.S., yet only about 27,000 people received a kidney transplant in 2025 (http://optn.transplant.hrsa.gov).
- Kidneys from pigs could be a new source of organs, offering faster access to life-saving and quality of life-enhancing transplants.
Pig Genetic Modification (or gene editing): Changing the genes of pigs to make their organs safer for humans (people). Scientists change the pig’s DNA (the instructions inside every cell) so that if one of the pig’s organs is used for a transplant, the human body is less likely to get sick or reject it.
Xenotransplant/ Xenotransplantation (zee-no-trans-plan-TAY-shin): The process of transplanting a genetically modified organ into a human recipient.
Bill Stewart
Date of Xenotransplant: June 14, 2025 Type of Transplant: Xenokidney (EGEN-2784) Graft Function (Duration): 8 months, still functioning as of March 1, 2026 Status: Xenograft is still functioning as of March 1, 2026
What are the risks?
Because xenotransplant has not yet been tested in clinical trials, the risks (potential harms) are not yet fully known, but may include:
- Organ rejection (your body attacking the kidney)
- More side effects from higher levels of immunosuppressive drugs needed for xenotransplantation, than for allotransplantation
- Infections to patients and their families, medical providers, and other close contacts (including from pig viruses)
- Uncertain long-term kidney function
- Unknown long-term effects
- Another surgery to remove the kidney should there be signs of failure
- Psychosocial risks, such as unwanted attention from media, health insurance problems, and stigma
Towana Looney
Date of Xenotransplant: November 25, 2024 Type of Transplant: Xenokidney (UKidney) Graft Function (Duration): 130 days Status: Surgically removed April 4, 2025Returned to dialysis
Immunosuppression: Anti-rejection medicines that help the body accept the xenokidney, and keep it working well. Like human-to-human transplants, patients who get a xenotransplant need to take anti-rejection medicines forever. Patients may need stronger anti-rejection medicines because the kidney comes from a different species—this is still being studied.
Clinical Process & Follow-up
- What kind of follow-up care will I receive after the xenotransplant?
- How long with a trial last, including long-term follow-up/monitoring?
- Where will I need to go if I am required to do follow-up visits?
- Will I be isolated or need to take special precautions after surgery?
- What kind of medications will I need to take before and after the transplant?
- What happens if the xenokidney fails?
What does it mean when pigs are "genetically modified"?
- In most cases, pigs being considered as sources of xenokidneys will have a mix of some genetic changes.
- These pigs have had special changes made to their genes to make their kidneys less likely to cause the human immune system to reject it.
- An immunse response in your body's effort to protect itself from something it sees as harmful. This response reduces the chances that the kidney will be rejected after transplantation. This happens:
- By removing pig genes from the pig and adding human genes to protect the pig kidney from being rejected by the human immune system.
- By removing pig genes from the pig that could cause harm to the person receiving the pig kidney.
- By adding human genes to the pig that could help the pig kidney function better in a person receiving the pig kidney.
Click to learn more about Xenokidney genetic modifications.
Are there any potential benefits?
For people with kidney failure, if the kidney xenotransplantation works, it may:
- Offer a chance at improved quality of life
- Potentially reduce or eliminate the need for dialysis
- Be available sooner than a human kidney
- Translate into longer patient and kidney survival
Financial Considerations
- Will I be financially compensated for participating in the trial?
- Who will pay for the procedure and follow-up care?
- Will I have any out-of-pocket expenses?
What support will trial participants receive?
Trial participants will receive the same standard of care as people who receive an allotransplantation, including:
- Close monitoring in the hospital and during follow-up
- A team of specialists (nephrologists, surgeons, nurses, social workers, etc.)
- Emotional and social support services
The xenotransplant clinical trial will provide support for trial-specific needs. Given the experimental nature of kidney xenotransplantation, participants will likely need:
- Long-term monitoring
- Monitoring of close contacts (family members, care partners)
- Additional blood tests and surveys, etc.
Timothy Andrews
Date of Xenotransplant: January 25, 2025 Type of Transplant: Xenokidney (EGEN-2784) Graft Function (Duration): 271 days Status: Surgically removed October 23, 2025 Returned to dialysis 10/2025–01/2026Received kidney from living donor January 2026
Xenokidney (ZEE-no-kid-nee): The pig kidney that underwent pig genetic modification before transplantation.
Eligibility & Access
- Am I eleigible for a xenotransplantation clinical trial?
- When are the trials expected to start in my area?
- What happened to the patients who had already received the pig heart or pig kidneys in other trials or through compassionate care?
- Can I speak to someone who has received a xenokidney before?
- What are my other treatment options if I do not participate?
Is Xenotransplantation experimental?
Yes, xenotransplantation is still experimental. Recent advances—such as pig kidney and heart transplants into humans—show promise. To protect patient participant safety, xenotransplantation is being performed under strict medical research protocols. Long-term safety, organ function, and immune tolerance are still being studied before xenotransplantation can become a standard, routine part of clinical care.
- Medical researchers are aiming to learn how safe it is for patients to receive a pig kidney transplant, and the short- and long-term harms and potential benefits of the xenotransplant procedure.
- Clinical trials have started and will explore if xenotransplantation will be a suitable treatment for patients with kidney failure.
Will patients have to sign an informed consent form to participate in the trial?
Yes. Interested patients must review and sign a detailed informed consent form before they can take part in the clinical trial. Close contacts and caregivers are encouraged to also review the informed consent form to support the patient in the trial. Each sponsor and transplant center will have different processes for informed consent. The informed consent forms will explain what is known and not known about the risks, the potential benefits, the procedure, alternatives, and post-transplant monitoring.
Lisa Pisano
Date of Xenotransplant: April 12, 2024 Type of Transplant: Xenokidney (UKidney) + LVAD (mechanical pump for the heart) Graft Function (Duration): 47 days Status: Surgically removed May 29, 2024Died at 3 months post-xenotransplant
Zoonotic (zow-uh-naa-tik) Infection: An infection or virus passed from an animal to a human. This type of infection is a risk of kidney xenotransplantation.
Where are clinical trials being conducted?
The list of transplant centers running the xenotransplant clinical trials may grow. This list will be updated as more centers are added.
Research: The process of studing a topic to generate new knowledge that can be applied widely to other people.
Pig Genetic Modification (or gene editing): Changing the genes of pigs to make their organs safer for humans (people). Scientists change the pig’s DNA (the instructions inside every cell) so that if one of the pig’s organs is used for a transplant, the human body is less likely to get sick or reject it.
Click for more information on Xenokidney genetic modifications.
Risks, Outcomes & Future Options
- What are the success rates and outcomes (short- and long-term outcomes)?
- If I receive a xenokidney, will I be eligible for a human kidney in the future?
- Will I lose my place on the human organ transplant list if I recieve a xenokidney?
Who can participate in the clinical trials?
Who can participate in these trials will vary based on the sponsor and transplant center conducting the research. There are two sponsors who have genetically modified pig kidneys available for studying in clinical trials: eGenesis and United Therapeutics.
eGenesis has recently been approved to proceed with a larger FDA-approved clinical trial More details to come. Please check back.
United Therapeutics is running two clinical trials with different criteria for enrollment:
- EXPAND study (10 GE Xenokidney)
- Patients with kidney failure who have been clinically evaluated, but found to be ineligible for an allotransplant for medical reasons; and
- Patients who have been on the kidney transplant waitlist, but who are more likely to die or not receive a transplant than receive a deceased donor kidney transplant within five years.
- EXTEND study (GGTA1 KO Thymokidney)
What is a kidney xenotransplantation?
- Kidney Xenotransplantation is the process of transplanting a genetically modified pig kidney into a human.
- The surgery for xenotransplantation is similar to surgery for a human kidney transplant (also referred to as a kidney allotransplantation). The pig kidney is surgically placed in the patient's abdomen (belly area) and connected to blood vessels and the bladder
Kidney Xenotransplantation FAQ
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Transcript
Kidney Xenotransplantation:
Information and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for Patients, Families and Care Partners
Information in this tool was last updated on 5/15/2026
Get Started
In collaboration with:
© 2026 National Kidney Foundation, Inc
Menu
Definitions
Background
Basic Information
Xenokidney Genetic Modifications
Considerations: Risks & Benefits
Experience to Date: Compassionate Use Cases
Resources
Clinical Trials
NKF Podcasts
References
Contact Info & Feedback
Next
© 2026 National Kidney Foundation, Inc
Background
Kidney xenotransplantation is a way to test whether transplanting a kidney from a genetically modified pig into a human with advanced kidney disease is safe. Kidney xenotransplantation is not yet available as a standard treatment option. However, research studies (“clinical trials”) are starting to test whether kidney xenotransplantation is safe. This guide answers common questions about kidney xenotransplantation. It is meant for patients, families, and care partners who want clear, trustworthy, and up-to-date information about this fast-changing area of research. The goal is to help you have informed discussions and decision-making. In this guide, you will find simple explanations of what is already known—and not yet known—about kidney xenotransplantation, including possible harms, benefits, and uncertainties. This guide is a starting point. If you are thinking about joining a clinical trial, talk with your transplant team about the risks and benefits of being in a trial, and other options you may have. If you choose to join a trial, the transplant team can help you review the informed consent forms. This guide was developed through a collaboration by the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) and the Kidney Health Initiative (KHI) within the American Society of Nephrology (ASN), and is co-chaired by Dr. Vineeta Kumar and Dr. Elisa Gordon. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) contributed subject matter support. The content draws on: existing research; patient-submitted questions; and ongoing discussions with people living with kidney disease. The field of Kidney Xenotransplantation is going through many fast changes. As we learn and make progress, we will share updates here—so please check back often.
Next
Back
© 2026 National Kidney Foundation, Inc
Definitions
Click the buttons below to learn the definition of each word or phrase.
Allotransplantation (al-oh-trans-plan-TAY-shin)
Research
Clinical Trials
Xenotransplant/Xenotransplantation (zee-no-trans-plan-TAY-shin)
Xenokidney (ZEE-no-kid-nee)
Immunosuppression
Pig Genetic Modification (or gene editing)
Zoonotic Infection (zow-uh-naa-tik)
Next
Back
© 2026 National Kidney Foundation, Inc
Basic Information
Click the buttons to learn the answer to each question.
What is kidney xenotransplation?
Why do we need kidney xenotransplantation?
Why are pigs chosen as a source of kidneys?
What does it mean that the pigs are "genetically modified"?
Is Xenotransplatantation experimental?
Next
Back
© 2026 National Kidney Foundation, Inc
Considerations: Risks & Benefits
Click the buttons to learn the answer to each question.
What are the risks?
Are there any potential benefits?
Next
Back
© 2026 National Kidney Foundation, Inc
Xenokidney Genetic Modifications
Scientists are working to make pig kidneys safer and more compatible for people who need a transplant. One important part of this work involves genetic modification, which means changing the pig’s genes to help the kidney function more like a human kidney. These changes can lower the chance of fast rejection, help the organ work smoothly with human blood and immunity, and reduce the risk of pig-related infections. This table gives a high-level overview of leading xenotransplantation companies and the types of genetic modifications they use. It is meant to help patients and families understand the general strategies researchers are using to make xenotransplantation a safe and effective option in the future.
Next
Back
© 2026 National Kidney Foundation, Inc
Experience to Date from the Compassionate Use Cases
The initial xenotransplant procedures performed in the United States were conducted under the FDA’s Expanded Access pathway, sometimes called Compassionate Use. This pathway allows doctors to offer an experimental therapy to a patient with a serious or life-threatening condition, if no other comparable options exist. These early cases provided important insights that helped inform the design of future clinical trials. Now that clinical trials have started, the identities and medical details of trial participants will be confidential. We do not have and will not release any information on clinical trial participants. For this reason, this section will summarize only the early, publicly reported compassionate use xenokidney cases, not any future clinical trial participants.
Review Timeline
Next
Back
© 2026 National Kidney Foundation, Inc
Experience to Date from the Compassionate Use Cases
Status of compassionate use cases (as of April 15, 2026)
March 16, 2024
Richard "Rick" Slayman
November 25, 2024
Towana Looney
June 14, 2025
Bill Stewart
Timothy Andrews
January 25, 2025
Lisa Pisano
April 12, 2024
Next
Back
BAck
© 2026 National Kidney Foundation, Inc
Clinical Trials
Clinical trials for kidney xenotransplantation began enrolling participants in late 2025, marking an important step toward understanding how pig kidneys may work in people. These early trials involve a small group of volunteers who are seeking a kidney transplant and agree to participate under very close medical supervision. The studies are designed to answer key questions about safety, how well the kidney functions, how long it lasts, and what kinds of support patients may need throughout the process. This section provides an overview of where they are being conducted, who may be eligible, what informed consent means, and what kinds of support are available to participants and families.
Will patients have to sign an informed consent form to participate in the trial?
Where are clinical trials being conducted?
What support will trial participants receive?
Who can participate in clinical trials?
Next
Back
© 2026 National Kidney Foundation, Inc
Questions you can ask your health care provider about clinical trials
Consider asking your health care provider the questions linked below to help you make an informed decision. If you are thinking about taking part in a trial, carefully review the informed consent form provided by the transplant center. The informed consent process is a great opportunity to ask any questions you may still have. You are encouraged to ask as many questions as you would like.
Clinical Process & Follow-up
Eligibility & Access
Risk, Outcomes, & Future Options
Privacy, Support & Media
Financial Considerations
Next
Back
© 2026 National Kidney Foundation, Inc
Resources
Patient Engagement with Xenotransplantation
Organizations
NKF's Patient-Focused Drug Development Meeting on Kidney Xenotransplantation Page
NKF's Kidney Xenotransplantation Page
FDA's Xenotransplantation Page
Voice of the Patient: Report on the Externally Led Patient-Focused Drug Development Meeting on Kidney Xenotransplantation
Research
Clinical Trials
Patients’ Information Needs for Informed Consent to Participate in First-in-Human Pig Kidney Xenotransplant Clinical Trials
Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of the 10 GE Xenokidney in Patients With ESRD
A Decision Aid for Patients Considering Participating in a Pig Kidney Xenotransplant Clinical Trial
Xenotransplantation of a Porcine Kidney for End-Stage Kidney Disease
Next
Back
© 2026 National Kidney Foundation, Inc
NKF Podcasts
Hot Topics in Kidney Health: A Patient Podcast by NKF
Status of compassionate use cases (as of April 15, 2026)
Status of compassionate use cases (as of April 15, 2026)
Status of compassionate use cases (as of April 15, 2026)
Status of compassionate use cases (as of April 15, 2026)
Next
Back
© 2026 National Kidney Foundation, Inc
References
Hilliard-Boone, T., DePatie, H. (2024). Preparing Patients, Care Partners, and Clinicians for Discussions About Xenotransplantation: A Kidney Transplant Research Possibility. American Institutes for Research. Available at https://www.air.org/sites/default/files/2024-03/Xenotransplantation-Issue%20Brief-March-2024.pdf
06
Baliker M, Roberts GV. Patient Perspective on xenotransplantation. Kidney360. 2022;3(11):1953-1954. Published 2022 Oct 11. doi:10.34067/KID.0003542022 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9717639/pdf/KID.0003542022.pdf
01
Fowler KJ, Evans VA, Kumar V, Ross J. Xenotransplantation and the role of the patient voice. Kidney360. 2023;5(1):110-112. doi:10.34067/kid.0000000000000310 https://journals.lww.com/kidney360/fulltext/2024/01000/xenotransplantation_and_the_role_of_the_patient.14.aspx
02
07
Hilliard-Boone, Tandrea, et al. “Understanding What Patients and Families Living with Kidney Failure Want and Need to Know about Kidney Transplant Research Possibilities: Interview Summary Report.” American Society of Nephrology. (2022)
08
Murphy, Heather et al., “The Voice of the Patient: Externally-Led Patient-Focused Drug Development Meeting on Kidney Xenotransplantation.” National Kidney Foundation. (2024) https://www.kidney.org/sites/default/files/2024-11/NKF_Xeno%20VoP_Final.pdf
Gordon, Elisa J., et al. "Patients’ Information Needs for Informed Consent to Participate in First‐in‐Human Pig Kidney Xenotransplant Clinical Trials: A Mixed Methods Study." Xenotransplantation 32.1 (2025): e70016. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/xen.70016
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2024 Annual Report of the U.S. Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network and the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients: Transplant Data 2024. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Healthcare Systems Bureau, Division of Transplantation, Rockville, MD; United Network for Organ Sharing, Richmond, VA; University Renal Research and Education Association, Ann Arbor, MI. http://optn.transplant.hrsa.gov This work was supported in part by Health Resources and Services Administration contract HHSH250-2019-00001C. The content is the responsibility of the authors alone and does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Department of Health and Human Services, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.
Gordon, Elisa J., et al. "Transplant Patients’ Perceptions About Participating in First‐in‐Human Pig Kidney Xenotransplant Clinical Trials: A Mixed Methods Study." Xenotransplantation 32.1 (2025): e70013. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/xen.70013
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Houston, Michelle L., Karen J. Maschke, Michael K. Gusmano, and Elisa J. Gordon. "Ethical Analysis of Voluntariness in Pig Kidney Xenotransplant First‐in‐Human Clinical Trials." Xenotransplantation 32, no. 3 (2025): e70052. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12101099/
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As kidney xenotransplantation moves into the early stages of clinical trials, it is important to remember that this process will take time. Many scientific, medical, and ethical questions must be answered before xenotransplantation can be considered a safe and reliable treatment option for people with kidney disease. Clinical trials are designed to carefully study safety, effectiveness, durability, immune responses, and long-term outcomes. Your perspectives and questions remain essential as this work progresses, and we are committed to keeping patients informed every step of the way.
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Allotransplantation: A typical human-to-human transplant: when a person gets an organ, like a kidney, heart, or liver, from another human being. The organ can come from someone who has died (deceased donor) or from a living person who donates it (living donor).
Why are pigs chosen as a source of kidneys?
Richard “Rick” Slayman
Date of Xenotransplant: March 16, 2024 Type of Transplant: Xenokidney (EGEN-2784) Graft Function (Duration): 6 months Status: Died at 6 months on May 11, 2024 Publication: NJEM
Privacy, Support & Media
Clinical Trials: A medical research study or experiment with real people that carefully tests if a medicine, treatment, or surgery is safe and if it works. Before any treatment can be offered to a patient, it has to be tested in research studies. The people in the clinical trial are followed very closely to make sure they are safe, and the doctors check the results to see if the study treatment works as well as or better than proven treatments. A treatment could be a drug, medical device, or biologic such as a vaccine, blood product, gene therapy, or a xenokidney transplant. A clinical trial is carefully designed and monitored to safeguard the participants’ health and safety to answer specific research questions. In current xenokidney clinical trials, medical researchers are conducting studies in people with end-stage kidney disease to learn about:
Click for information on the current clinical trials.
Why are scientists researching pig kidney transplants?
Pig Genetic Modification (or gene editing): Changing the genes of pigs to make their organs safer for humans (people). Scientists change the pig’s DNA (the instructions inside every cell) so that if one of the pig’s organs is used for a transplant, the human body is less likely to get sick or reject it.
Xenotransplant/ Xenotransplantation (zee-no-trans-plan-TAY-shin): The process of transplanting a genetically modified organ into a human recipient.
Bill Stewart
Date of Xenotransplant: June 14, 2025 Type of Transplant: Xenokidney (EGEN-2784) Graft Function (Duration): 8 months, still functioning as of March 1, 2026 Status: Xenograft is still functioning as of March 1, 2026
What are the risks?
Because xenotransplant has not yet been tested in clinical trials, the risks (potential harms) are not yet fully known, but may include:
Towana Looney
Date of Xenotransplant: November 25, 2024 Type of Transplant: Xenokidney (UKidney) Graft Function (Duration): 130 days Status: Surgically removed April 4, 2025Returned to dialysis
Immunosuppression: Anti-rejection medicines that help the body accept the xenokidney, and keep it working well. Like human-to-human transplants, patients who get a xenotransplant need to take anti-rejection medicines forever. Patients may need stronger anti-rejection medicines because the kidney comes from a different species—this is still being studied.
Clinical Process & Follow-up
What does it mean when pigs are "genetically modified"?
Click to learn more about Xenokidney genetic modifications.
Are there any potential benefits?
For people with kidney failure, if the kidney xenotransplantation works, it may:
Financial Considerations
What support will trial participants receive?
Trial participants will receive the same standard of care as people who receive an allotransplantation, including:
- Close monitoring in the hospital and during follow-up
- A team of specialists (nephrologists, surgeons, nurses, social workers, etc.)
- Emotional and social support services
The xenotransplant clinical trial will provide support for trial-specific needs. Given the experimental nature of kidney xenotransplantation, participants will likely need:Timothy Andrews
Date of Xenotransplant: January 25, 2025 Type of Transplant: Xenokidney (EGEN-2784) Graft Function (Duration): 271 days Status: Surgically removed October 23, 2025 Returned to dialysis 10/2025–01/2026Received kidney from living donor January 2026
Xenokidney (ZEE-no-kid-nee): The pig kidney that underwent pig genetic modification before transplantation.
Eligibility & Access
Is Xenotransplantation experimental?
Yes, xenotransplantation is still experimental. Recent advances—such as pig kidney and heart transplants into humans—show promise. To protect patient participant safety, xenotransplantation is being performed under strict medical research protocols. Long-term safety, organ function, and immune tolerance are still being studied before xenotransplantation can become a standard, routine part of clinical care.
Will patients have to sign an informed consent form to participate in the trial?
Yes. Interested patients must review and sign a detailed informed consent form before they can take part in the clinical trial. Close contacts and caregivers are encouraged to also review the informed consent form to support the patient in the trial. Each sponsor and transplant center will have different processes for informed consent. The informed consent forms will explain what is known and not known about the risks, the potential benefits, the procedure, alternatives, and post-transplant monitoring.
Lisa Pisano
Date of Xenotransplant: April 12, 2024 Type of Transplant: Xenokidney (UKidney) + LVAD (mechanical pump for the heart) Graft Function (Duration): 47 days Status: Surgically removed May 29, 2024Died at 3 months post-xenotransplant
Zoonotic (zow-uh-naa-tik) Infection: An infection or virus passed from an animal to a human. This type of infection is a risk of kidney xenotransplantation.
Where are clinical trials being conducted?
The list of transplant centers running the xenotransplant clinical trials may grow. This list will be updated as more centers are added.
Research: The process of studing a topic to generate new knowledge that can be applied widely to other people.
Pig Genetic Modification (or gene editing): Changing the genes of pigs to make their organs safer for humans (people). Scientists change the pig’s DNA (the instructions inside every cell) so that if one of the pig’s organs is used for a transplant, the human body is less likely to get sick or reject it.
Click for more information on Xenokidney genetic modifications.
Risks, Outcomes & Future Options
Who can participate in the clinical trials?
Who can participate in these trials will vary based on the sponsor and transplant center conducting the research. There are two sponsors who have genetically modified pig kidneys available for studying in clinical trials: eGenesis and United Therapeutics. eGenesis has recently been approved to proceed with a larger FDA-approved clinical trial More details to come. Please check back. United Therapeutics is running two clinical trials with different criteria for enrollment:
What is a kidney xenotransplantation?