Sep 4, 2024 - Business

Startup raises $191 million to edit pig organs for human transplant

Dan Primack

Illustration referencing the game Operation, with organs and a dollar sign cavity within a pig shape. — Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios

eGenesis, a developer of human-compatible organs that are derived from pigs, raised $191 million in new venture capital funding.

Why it matters: There are over 100,000 people in the U.S. on organ transplant waiting lists, the vast majority of whom are in need of kidneys.

Catch up quick: eGenesis provided the genetically-edited porcine kidney used earlier this year in a landmark human transplant, and is working with the FDA to move into Phase 1 clinical trials.

It also has programs for livers and hearts, the latter of which may focus on pediatric patients who need a "bridge" while waiting for human hearts (due to both size and availability).

What they're saying: "Pigs are physiologically close to humans in terms of how their kidneys, hearts and livers work," explains eGenesis CEO Mike Curtis. "And because we can clone pigs, we can do editing to their genomes that makes them compatible. Plus, we've been raising pigs at scale for thousands of years."

Deal details: Lux Capital led the round, contributing its largest-ever initial check.

Other investors include Eisai Innovation, NATCO Pharma, Parkwood Corp. Arch Venture Partners, Khosla Ventures, Farallon Capital Management, Alta Partners, and Leaps by Bayer.
Plus dialysis giants DaVita and Fresenius.
The Camridge, Mass.-based company has raised nearly $500 million, including the new round.

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Startup raises $191 million to edit pig organs for human transplant

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