Tim Andrews, the first person to receive a genetically modified pig kidney, has now successfully undergone a human kidney transplant, marking a historic milestone in xenotransplantation that offers hope for addressing organ shortages.
Tim Andrews, a 67-year-old man from New Hampshire with diabetes and end-stage kidney disease, made medical history last year when he received a pig kidney on January 25, 2025. He lived with the organ for 271 days, setting a record for xenotransplant survival, but eventually, his body began to reject it, leading to its removal in October. After returning to dialysis, Andrews faced the same grueling treatments that had initially driven him to seek experimental options. Dialysis, which involves being hooked up to a machine for hours several times a week, took a severe toll on his health, including a heart attack, and left him emotionally and physically exhausted.
In a turn of fortune, Andrews received a call at nearly midnight on January 12, 2026, informing him that a near-perfect human kidney match had been found. He underwent transplant surgery the next morning, a procedure that lasted about three hours, and now anticipates being discharged to his home shortly, celebrating a new lease on life. This achievement positions Andrews as the first individual ever to bridge from an animal organ to a human transplant, demonstrating the potential of xenotransplantation to serve as a ‘bridge’ therapy. His experience provides valuable insights into managing rejection and improving protocols for future patients, with biopsies from his pig kidney helping scientists pinpoint causes of slow rejection.
Xenotransplantation, which involves transplanting genetically modified animal organs into humans, is being explored as a critical solution to the dire shortage of human donors. In the United States alone, over 100,000 people await organ transplants, with kidneys being the most needed, yet only a fraction of those with kidney failure are on waitlists due to severity criteria. Medical experts like Dr. Leonardo Riella of Mass General Brigham, who treated Andrews, emphasize that even temporary xenotransplants can significantly improve patient outcomes compared to long-term dialysis, which has a five-year survival rate of around 40%. The goal is to eventually phase out dialysis as a long-term treatment, with animal organs offering a better alternative.
Looking ahead, institutions like Mass General and companies such as eGenesis are advancing clinical trials based on lessons from Andrews’ case. Dr. Robert Montgomery of NYU Langone predicts that xenotransplants could become a viable destination therapy within five years, allowing patients to cycle between animal and human organs throughout their lives. Andrews, reflecting on his journey, credits the pig kidney—which he named Wilma—with saving his life by keeping him alive long enough to receive a human transplant. He now advocates for organ donation, expressing gratitude to his anonymous donor’s family and urging others to contribute to this life-saving cause, highlighting the profound impact on millions awaiting transplants.
