# Pig kidney xenotransplantation milestone

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/pig-kidney-xenotransplantation-milestone
> Updated: 2026-09-12T12:15:00.000Z. Sources: 7. Developments: 2.

A 66-year-old patient, Tim Andrews, achieved a medical milestone by surviving for 271 days without dialysis using a genetically modified pig kidney. The organ, nicknamed ‘Wilma’, was engineered by biotechnology company eGenesis using 69 genetic edits to reduce immune rejection and inactivate retroviruses.

While the xenotransplant served as a critical bridge to keep Andrews alive while he waited for a compatible human organ, the pig kidney eventually failed due to damage in its blood vessels after approximately nine months. The procedure concluded when Andrews successfully received a human kidney transplant in January 2026. Researchers suggest this technology could eventually alleviate the shortage of available human organ donors, noting that prior to this procedure, Andrews had only a 9% chance of receiving a human kidney within five years.

## Claims

- A genetically modified pig kidney functioned in a human patient for 271 days, setting a new record. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- The patient, Tim Andrews, is a 66-year-old man from New Hampshire with end-stage renal disease caused by type 2 diabetes. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The pig kidney, named Wilma, was sourced from a genetically modified Yucatan miniature pig. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The pig kidney was eventually replaced by a human kidney from a deceased donor. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The pig kidney underwent 69 genome edits to improve compatibility and reduce viral risks. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The patient had a 9% chance of receiving a human kidney within five years prior to the procedure. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The risk of death or leaving the transplant waiting list was over 40% for the patient. (corroborated by 2 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-12: Tim Andrews survives 271 days with genetically modified pig kidney

A 66-year-old man, Tim Andrews, lived for a record 271 days with a genetically modified pig kidney, serving as a successful bridge to a human transplant and offering hope for the global organ shortage.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/tim-andrews-sets-record-with-271-day-pig-kidney-transplant

### 2026-09-09: Patient survives 271 days with genetically modified pig kidney

A patient lived 271 days without dialysis using a genetically modified pig kidney, marking a successful bridge to a human kidney transplant and a milestone for xenotransplantation research.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/patient-survives-271-days-with-genetically-modified-pig-kidney

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Cite as: Pig kidney xenotransplantation milestone. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/pig-kidney-xenotransplantation-milestone