The world of organs transplantation is rapidly changing thanks to advanced technologies. Genetic-edited organs, synthetic embryos, and 3D-printed implants are becoming a reality, creating new business capabilities and ethical disputes.
One of the leaders of this market was the British company Organox, which developed the Metra device. The device imitates the natural conditions of blood circulation in the liver, extending its viability 12 hours longer than traditional storage methods. This innovation gives doctors more time to search for a suitable recipient, increasing the chances of successful transplantation. The technology has been utilized in over 5,000 operations, and this week the company secured $142 million to enter the US market and potential IPO.
Organox is not the only player changing the approach to transplantation. The American company Paragonix Technologies has developed a system of cooling and preserving organs, which minimizes damage during transportation. In 2023, the Swedish medical giant Getings acquired Paragonix for $477 million, signaling the growth potential of the technology.
Egenesis, which uses CRISPR editing to grow organs compatible with the human body, has made significant advancements. In 2023, surgeons from Pennsylvania University successfully connected a modified pork liver to a patient in a state of clinical death, and the organ functioned normally within 72 hours. This experiment also utilized the Organox system.
Technologies like xenotransplantation offer hope in dealing with the acute shortage of donor organs. By the end of 2024, more than 104,000 people in the USA were waiting for a transplant, with 17 patients dying each day while awaiting the operation.
In addition to traditional transplantological developments, some companies are exploring more radical methods. The Israeli startup Renewal Bio grows synthetic embryos from stem cells in an artificial uterus. While these structures are intended for the production of tissues and cells needed for medical purposes, their similarity to human embryos has sparked debates over ethical boundaries. The company states that these embryos cannot develop into fully-fledged individuals, but the limits of permissible scientific experiments continue to blur.
The future of organ transplantation holds the promise of saving thousands of lives but also entails discussions around new ethical norms and a legal framework.