Investors back eGenesis in pursuing pig-to-human transplant study
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Key takeaways:
- A xenotransplantation program received $191 million in Series D financing to pursue a first-in-human kidney transplant study.
- Two major providers of kidney dialysis care support the company.
A biotechnology company developing compatible organs for transplantation to humans, eGenesis, secured financial backing that could eventually lead to a human trial of its bioengineered pig kidney, according to a company press release.
The company raised $191 million in Series D financing for its xenotransplantation program.
A xenotransplantation program received $191 million in Series D financing to pursue a first-in-human kidney transplant study. Image: Adobe Stock.
As Healio previously reported, in March, a 62-year-old Massachusetts man living with end-stage kidney disease underwent transplantation of a genetically edited pig kidney developed by eGenesis. Building on the success of that procedure, the company is pursuing talks with regulatory agencies about designing human trials, according to Michael Curtis, PhD, CEO of eGenesis.
“This funding will advance our lead kidney program, EGEN-2784, to a first-in-human study for kidney transplant. While the immediate focus is on porcine kidney transplants, the insights we gain through this research will also help inform other areas of our program,” Curtis told Healio. “The next steps involve discussions with regulatory agencies to move closer to initiating clinical trials. ... Our ultimate vision is to revolutionize kidney care by offering patients reliable, accessible organ transplant solutions that eliminate the need for long wait times or immunosuppressive therapies. With advancements in xenotransplantation, we believe we can create a future where patients can get off dialysis and kidney disease is no longer a life-threatening condition.”
Supporters of the eGenesis vision include DaVita and Fresenius, both providers of dialysis for patients waiting for human kidneys for transplant.
“At DaVita, we remain[GB1] conscious of the critical shortage of viable organs for transplantation,” Steve Phillips, group vice president for DaVita Venture Group, told Healio. “We’re excited to be part of the latest funding round for eGenesis, as part of our commitment to accelerating innovations that could create broader access to transplants for patients with kidney disease.”
Fresenius Medical Care Ventures was an investor before the current funding push.
“The close of this recent funding round marks an important milestone in the progress toward a prospective clinical trial of porcine kidneys in human beings, a step needed to develop the evidence base required to safely and effectively expand access to kidney transplantation for thousands of patients with kidney disease,” Benjamin E. Hippen, MD, FASN, FAST, global head of clinical affairs for the global medical office and chief medical officer, care delivery at Fresenius Medical Care, told Healio. “Our goal at Fresenius Medical Care is to ensure as many of our patients have unfettered access to the right renal replacement therapies, at the right time for them, across the years and decades of their disease course. This announcement from eGenesis marks a step toward a future in which the supply of transplantable organs is less of a rate limiting step in improving the quality of life for all patients with kidney disease.”
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