First Person to Receive Pig Kidney Transplant Dies

In a groundbreaking medical advancement, a man who received a kidney transplant from a genetically modified pig earlier this year has sadly passed away, Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston confirmed.

Rick Slayman, 62, of Weymouth, Massachusetts, underwent the historic transplant in March, which was hailed as a major milestone in the field of organ transplantation. The kidney was provided by eGenesis of Cambridge, Massachusetts, and had been genetically edited to improve compatibility with human recipients.

While the hospital stated that there is no indication that Slayman’s passing was a result of the transplant, his family expressed deep sadness over the loss of their beloved Rick. Slayman had previously received a human kidney transplant in 2018 after years on dialysis, but the organ failed after five years, leading him to resume dialysis treatments.

The use of genetically modified pig organs for transplantation has shown promise in animal studies, with kidneys from edited pigs successfully transplanted into monkeys for extended periods. The development of drugs like tegoprubart by Eledon Pharmaceuticals has also helped prevent rejection of the pig organs by the patient’s immune system.

With over 100,000 people in the U.S. awaiting organ transplants, the use of genetically modified pig organs could potentially provide a solution to the shortage of available organs for those in need. While the passing of Rick Slayman is a tragic loss, his story has inspired hope for the future of organ transplantation.