Pig kidney transplant allows patient to avoid dialysis for nine months

A 66-year-old American man, Tim Andrews, successfully used a genetically modified pig kidney to avoid dialysis for a record nine months. The procedure served as a bridge to keep him stable while waiting for a compatible human organ.

The porcine kidney was sourced from a Yucatan miniature pig and underwent genetic modifications, including the addition of seven human genes and the inhibition of certain porcine antigens to reduce rejection risks. Although the transplant allowed Andrews to bypass dialysis for 271 days, he eventually faced complications from an antibiotic-resistant bacterial infection and renal lesions. Following the removal of the pig kidney, Andrews returned to dialysis for approximately three months before receiving a compatible human kidney in January 2026.