One year ago, Tim Andrews made headlines as one of the first individuals to receive a genetically modified pig kidney. Today, he stands as the first among that pioneering group to successfully transition to receiving a human kidney. Speaking from his hospital bed, Andrews expressed his unique position in medical history. “I’m the first one that went across the bridge. … I’m the only person in the world that’s ever had a pig kidney and then had a human kidney after it,” he shared with CNN.
Andrews, who has been battling diabetes and end-stage kidney disease, initially received the pig kidney on January 25, 2025, living with it for a groundbreaking 271 days. However, when his body eventually rejected the organ, he returned to the arduous routine of dialysis. This life-sustaining yet exhausting process had initially driven him to seek the experimental xenotransplant.
On the brink of despair, Andrews received a life-changing call nearly at midnight on January 12. A human kidney, a near-perfect match, had been found. The transplant surgery was scheduled for the following morning, marking a new chapter in Andrews’ journey.
The Promise of Xenotransplantation
Xenotransplantation, the practice of transplanting organs from different species, is being hailed as a potential solution to the chronic shortage of human organ donors. In the United States alone, over 100,000 people are on organ waitlists, with approximately 80% needing kidneys. The scarcity is so severe that only the most critically ill patients are listed, leaving many without hope.
Dr. Leonardo Riella, medical director of kidney transplantation at Mass General Brigham Hospital and Andrews’ physician, emphasized the limitations of dialysis. “Dialysis is not able to reproduce what the body needs in terms of clearing the waste,” he explained. “It has a huge burden on the patient, both in their quality of life but most importantly on their health.”
Andrews’ experience with dialysis was particularly grueling, involving sessions three times a week for up to six hours. The toll it took on his health was significant, leading to a heart attack just six months after starting the treatment. “It takes a toll on you emotionally and physically; you just get exhausted and I got sick. I was throwing up all the time,” Andrews recounted.
A Bridge to the Future
For Andrews, the xenotransplant was not just a temporary reprieve from dialysis but a beacon of hope for others with end-stage renal disease. “This will do something for humanity,” he told CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta.
The journey with his pig kidney, affectionately named Wilma, was not without challenges. Andrews managed a demanding regimen of 52 pills a day to maintain the organ’s functionality. Despite these efforts, the kidney began to show signs of rejection after nine months. “There was some damage to the filters of the kidney that unfortunately, were not reversible,” Dr. Riella noted.
Mike Curtis, president and CEO of eGenesis, the company behind the donor pig, explained that the rejection was a slow process. “We just could not figure out how to push it back,” Curtis said. However, the insights gained from Andrews’ case are invaluable. “We have a much better idea of what was causing that low level rejection, so we can then tune the suppression,” Curtis added.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Organ Transplants
Andrews’ case has helped refine the approach to xenotransplantation, paving the way for future patients. Since his surgery, Mass General and eGenesis have conducted two more xenotransplants and are preparing for a clinical trial.
Dr. Robert Montgomery, director of the NYU Langone Transplant Institute, sees xenotransplantation as a viable long-term solution. “As this gets better and xenografts last longer, it will be a destination,” Montgomery stated, envisioning a future where patients cycle through both xenografts and allografts.
For Andrews, the xenotransplant was a critical step in his survival. “If I didn’t take Wilma, I’d have been dead by now. I wasn’t gonna make it another year,” he reflected. With a new lease on life, Andrews is now focused on advocating for organ donation.
In a heartfelt message on social media, Andrews expressed gratitude to the family of his human donor. “I grieve with you. It’s got to tear you apart, but I’m here to tell you, the donation of a kidney has saved my life, and you have given hope to millions. Your family member is a hero,” he wrote.
As Andrews prepares to return home, his story stands as a testament to the potential of medical innovation and the profound impact of organ donation. “I’ll never be able to repay you, but I promise you it’ll be in my heart. And it will be cared and loved for as long as I live,” he vowed, determined to spread the message of hope and gratitude.
