eGenesis’ kidney xenotransplant; plus Epirium, Neurimmune and more

eGenesis Inc. and collaborators revealed in Nature successful transplantation of a pig kidney into a monkey. The donor kidneys carried three types of edits: knock out of three genes involved in the synthesis of glycan antigens implicated in hyperacute rejection, insertion of seven human transgenes involved in pathways that modulate rejection, and inactivation of the endogenous retroviruses in the porcine genome. Once combined with an immunosuppressive regimen, the kidney transplant supported non-human primate survival up to two years.

A Stanford University team led by Epirium Bio Inc. co-founder Helen Blau showed in Science Translational Medicine that small molecule inhibition of HPGD restored neuromuscular connectivity and function in both acute and chronic models of motor nerve damage. Patents regarding HPGD inhibition are licensed to Empirium...