Pig kidney bridges patient to human transplant after record 271 days

A genetically modified pig kidney supported an American patient for 271 days without dialysis, the longest such period recorded in a living person. The case also marks the first documented use of a pig kidney as a temporary bridge to a later human kidney transplant.

Tim Andrews was 66 when he received the pig kidney in January 2025. He had end-stage kidney disease caused by type 2 diabetes and little chance of receiving a human organ soon. The transplanted kidney began working immediately, although doctors treated an early, mild rejection episode.

After about six months, damage appeared in the kidney’s blood vessels. A bacterial infection later required doctors to reduce immune-suppressing treatment, and inflammation contributed to the organ’s eventual failure. It was removed after 271 days, during which Andrews had not needed dialysis.

Following 82 days back on dialysis, he received a kidney from a deceased human donor in January 2026. Six months later, doctors reported that it was functioning well, with no signs of rejection. They also found no evidence that pathogens had passed from the pig to the patient.

The findings come from a single carefully selected patient receiving highly specialised care. Even so, the case offers researchers valuable evidence about rejection and suggests pig kidneys may one day help some patients wait more safely for scarce human organs.