Hope and Science: Inside the 2nd Richard Slayman Clinical Xenotransplantation Workshop

Xenotransplantation is the process of transplanting organs, tissues, or cells from animals into humans. Recent advances in genetic engineering have helped scientists study whether organs from specially modified pigs could one day become a new source of organs for people who need transplants.

Learn more about xenotransplantation.

More than 100,000 people in the United States are waiting for a kidney transplant. For many, receiving a kidney from a donor could mean more time with family, fewer health challenges, and a better quality of life.

But the need for kidneys far exceeds the number of available donor organs. That shortage is why researchers are exploring new approaches, including xenotransplantation.

Co-chaired by Dr. Robert Montgomery, the 2nd Richard Slayman Clinical Xenotransplantation Workshop, named in honor of Richard Slayman—the first person to receive a clinical kidney xenotransplant—brought the world's leading transplant experts to NYU Langone Health.

Doctors, scientists, surgeons, and leaders from the FDA and NIH shared their latest research and clinical experiences, while also keeping the patient at the center of every discussion.

While much of the workshop focused on science and research, one message was clear: the future of xenotransplantation must include the voices of patients.

One of the most powerful moments of the weekend was a patient and family panel organized and led by NKF's Heather Murphy. She did an outstanding job bringing patient voices to the center of a room full of scientists and policymakers. 

The panel was a powerful reminder of who this work is truly for–the people affected by kidney disease, including this anonymous participant in NKF's 2025 National Survey: Patient Attitudes Toward Xenotransplantation. 

"I know my current treatment (dialysis) is just delaying my kidney disease. There is no cure," they said. "Eventually, I will need a kidney transplant, but there will never be enough kidneys for the number of people who need them. So the next best thing is xenotransplantation. It is a wonderful solution to help with the shortage of available kidneys. Please keep the research going and have these options ASAP." 

NKF's xenotransplantation support group was also recognized at the meeting, a meaningful acknowledgment of the community NKF has helped build.

The workshop included participation from leaders across the transplant community, including representatives from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Experts discussed both the promise and the challenges of xenotransplantation. While early research has shown encouraging progress, xenotransplantation remains in the clinical trial stage. Many questions still need to be answered before this could become a widely available treatment option.

Researchers continue to study important areas such as:

• How long can xenotransplanted organs function safely in people
• How to best monitor and measure transplant success
• How genetic changes to pig organs may improve outcomes
• How to ensure patient safety throughout the process

These questions are a normal and necessary part of developing any new medical treatment. Careful research and oversight will help ensure that future advances are safe, effective, and centered on patients.

Learn more with NKF's interactive xenotransplant FAQ. 

The FDA was well represented, and the conversations were candid. Regulators made clear that xenotransplantation is still in early clinical trials—and that full approval as a standard therapy is still a long way off. As pig genetics continue to be modified and refined, there are still many open questions about how to measure success. That is not a reason to slow down. It is a reason to keep working hard and get it right.

The National Kidney Foundation will keep pushing for policies that move xenotransplantation forward, safely, thoughtfully, and with patients leading the way. 

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