Tim Andrews, a 66-year-old New Hampshire resident, has become the second person known to be living with a transplanted pig kidney following successful surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital on January 25th.

The groundbreaking xenotransplantation has freed Andrews from dialysis, with his recovery progressing so well that he was discharged just one week after the procedure.

When I woke up in the recovery room, I was a new man, Andrews told reporters.

This milestone comes as part of a broader FDA-approved pilot study at Mass General Brigham using gene-edited pig kidneys supplied by biotech company eGenesis. The pig kidney received by Andrews underwent 69 genetic modifications to make it more compatible with the human body and reduce rejection risks.

Prior to the surgery, Andrews demonstrated remarkable determination to qualify for the experimental procedure. After being initially deemed too weak, he underwent intensive physical therapy and lost 30 pounds to meet the study's requirements.

The surgery represents a potential breakthrough in addressing the severe organ shortage crisis. Currently, more than 100,000 Americans are on transplant waiting lists, with most needing kidneys. Traditional transplant wait times can extend beyond seven years for certain blood types.

Dr. Tatsuo Kawai, the lead surgeon, expressed optimism about the procedure's future: The goal is to make genetically edited pig organs a viable, long-term solution for patients. Although we have a long way to go to make that a reality, this transplant is an important next step.

The success of this case follows another milestone achievement: the first surviving pig kidney recipient, Towana Looney, who received her transplant at NYU Langone Health in November and continues to thrive two and a half months post-surgery.