Genetically Modified Pig Kidney Keeps US Patient Alive for Nine Months
A gene-edited pig kidney functioned inside a patient for 271 days, marking a breakthrough in the search for alternatives to human organ transplants.
By Elena Petrova · First published 4 Sept 2026
In brief
- Tim Andrews, age 66, received a genetically modified pig kidney after developing end-stage kidney disease and needing an alternative to dialysis.
- The transplanted pig kidney functioned for a record 271 days, allowing Andrews to avoid dialysis during that period.
- This marks the longest documented period a pig kidney has worked in a human patient, setting a new milestone in xenotransplantation.
- After 271 days, doctors replaced the pig kidney with a human kidney, which continues to function successfully.
- Researchers highlight this case as a major step forward in using gene-edited animal organs to help address organ shortages.
Timeline · 6 moments
Genetically modified pig kidney keeps man alive for nine months
Guardian Health ↗Pig kidney works in human body for a record 271 days
BBC - Home ↗First pig kidney acts as 'bridge' to human transplant
The New York Times ↗Patient receives human kidney after 271 days with pig organ
Top World News- News18.com ↗Medical teams confirm record-setting pig kidney function in human
Time.news ↗Pig kidney used as bridge before human transplant
Euronews ↗Update 5 Sept 2026, 8:19 pm UTC
New coverage confirms Tim Andrews lived for 271 days with the pig kidney before doctors replaced it with a human one earlier this year. The transplant is still considered a record for xenotransplantation, and the human kidney continues to function well, keeping Andrews alive.
Update 4 Sept 2026, 10:01 am UTC
New reports confirm that Tim Andrews lived with a genetically modified pig kidney for nine months before receiving a human transplant. This marks the first time an animal organ has been used as a successful temporary 'bridge' to a human organ in a patient with end-stage kidney disease.
How it started
Tim Andrews, a 66-year-old man with end-stage kidney failure, faced long odds while waiting for a human kidney transplant. Doctors in the United States offered him a new option: a genetically modified pig kidney, designed to be less likely to trigger rejection in humans.
The pig, named Wilma according to Guardian Health, provided the organ. The procedure was part of ongoing research into xenotransplantation, which aims to use animal organs to help patients who would otherwise wait months or years for a match.
How it unfolded
Doctors carried out the transplant in late 2025 or early 2026, although reports do not specify the exact date. After the surgery, the pig kidney began working inside Andrews. He did not need dialysis for the entire time the organ functioned.
Sky News and the BBC reported that the kidney worked for 271 days, just under nine months. This was the longest period a pig kidney has survived and functioned in a human patient.
Throughout this time, doctors closely monitored Andrews. The kidney performed its job effectively, keeping him stable while he remained on the transplant waiting list. The pig kidney acted as a "bridge" until a human donor organ became available, as described by The New York Times.
Eventually, Andrews received a human kidney transplant. The pig kidney was removed, having fulfilled its temporary purpose.
Where it stands
The transplant is being called a major milestone in xenotransplantation research. The success has raised hopes for patients facing long waits for human organs.
Doctors and researchers are now analyzing the results and considering next steps for broader trials. The case has drawn attention from transplant specialists worldwide, who see promise in gene-edited animal organs as a possible solution to organ shortages.
What to watch
Researchers will be watching for results from future trials to see if pig organs can work safely and reliably in more patients. Regulators and ethicists will also weigh in as the technology moves closer to wider clinical use.
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