A second New Hampshire resident has received a kidney from a genetically modified pig, marking a important step forward as broader clinical trials for xenotransplantation approach, officials confirmed September 8, 2025. The recipient’s identity has not been publicly released, but the transplant occurred at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, following the successful transplant of a pig kidney into a different New Hampshire man earlier this year. This latest procedure reinforces early indications that pig kidneys can function effectively in humans, offering a potential long-term solution to the critical shortage of organs available for transplant.
The growing success of these experimental transplants arrives at a pivotal moment for the thousands of americans awaiting kidney donations.More than 80,000 people in the United States are currently on the waiting list for a kidney transplant, and many die each year before an organ becomes available. Xenotransplantation-the process of transplanting living cells, tissues or organs from one species to another-holds the promise of alleviating this crisis, though significant hurdles remain regarding long-term organ viability and the potential for immune rejection. Preparations are underway for larger, multi-center trials expected to begin within the next year, pending regulatory approval.
The pig used for this transplant was genetically engineered by eGenesis, a leading biotechnology company specializing in xenotransplantation. The modifications aimed to eliminate pig genes that could trigger hyperacute rejection-a rapid and severe immune response-and to add human genes to help the kidney be accepted by the recipient’s body. Doctors are closely monitoring the patient for signs of rejection or other complications.
