Official government health department announcements

United Therapeutics Announces First Successful UKidney Transplant on November 25, 2024; Alabama Woman Recovers After Eight Years of Dialysis

Dec 17, 2024, 01:53 PM

United Therapeutics Corporation has announced the successful transplantation of the world's first UKidney into a living recipient. The procedure took place on November 25, 2024, and the recipient is currently recovering well. This groundbreaking achievement marks a significant milestone in organ transplantation, particularly in the realm of xenotransplantation, which involves the use of genetically modified animal organs for human patients. In a related development, an Alabama woman is recovering after receiving a gene-edited pig kidney last month, which has allowed her to live without dialysis after eight years. This experimental procedure is part of ongoing efforts to address the critical shortage of organs available for transplant, as over 100,000 people are currently on the U.S. transplant list, with many dying while waiting for suitable organs.