eGenesis

eGenesis is a biotechnology company developing human-compatible, genetically engineered porcine organs to address the shortage of transplantable human organs. The company's genome engineering and production platform (EGEN) applies three classes of genetic edits to porcine cells: inactivation of endogenous retroviruses to address the risk of cross-species retroviral transmission; knockout of three genes involved in the synthesis of glycan antigens implicated in hyperacute rejection (triple gene knockout); and insertion of human transgenes that regulate coagulation, inflammation/apoptosis, innate immunity and complement activation. Edited cells are verified and selected, then cloned to produce embryos that are implanted into surrogates; the resulting donor animals are raised in high-biosecurity facilities with routine and regulatory-compliant release testing prior to transplant.

The company is advancing development programs in kidney transplant, liver failure and heart transplant. Its lead candidate, EGEN-2784, is a genetically engineered porcine-derived kidney carrying seven human transgenes in addition to the knockouts and retroviral inactivation; the FDA has cleared an IND to begin a Phase 1/2/3 study assessing safety, tolerability and efficacy at 24 weeks post-transplant in dialysis-dependent patients aged 50 or older with end-stage kidney disease who are on the kidney transplant waitlist. A second cleared IND covers EGEN-5784, a genetically engineered porcine liver used with the OrganOx extracorporeal liver cross-circulation system for patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure and decompensated liver function in the intensive care setting.

Founding story

Forge reports the company was founded in 2015 by George Church, Ph.D. and Luhan Yang, Ph.D., applying advanced gene-editing techniques including CRISPR to engineer animal organs for transplantation into human patients [5].

Business model

Clinical-stage biotechnology developer; eGenesis engineers and produces genetically modified porcine donor animals and organs in-house and advances them as investigational products through FDA regulatory pathways, funded to date by venture and strategic investment [3][4][5].

Not described in the sources; the company is pre-commercial and funded through equity financing rounds [3][5].

Traction

In March 2024 eGenesis announced the world's first successful porcine kidney transplant in a living patient, authorized under the FDA Expanded Access pathway and performed at Massachusetts General Hospital [3]. CNN reported in January 2026 that a man who received an experimental pig kidney transplant subsequently received a human organ [0]. The company has obtained FDA IND clearances for both its kidney and liver candidates and reports durable preclinical success [1][3][4]. Forge reports total funding of $1.4B to date and a $332.59M post-money valuation as of the September 2024 Series D [5].

Latest developments

The FDA cleared eGenesis's IND for a Phase 1/2/3 trial of EGEN-2784 in end-stage kidney disease, and cleared an IND for EGEN-5784 combined with the OrganOx extracorporeal liver cross-circulation system in acute-on-chronic liver failure [0][1]. In June 2026 the company appointed Glenn S. Vraniak as CFO and Jennifer Bergheiser as CCO, and announced participation in a BIO International Convention 2026 panel on xenotransplantation [3]. It was named to Fast Company's 2026 list of the World's Most Innovative Companies, and its work was covered by Nature ("Seven technologies to watch in 2026") and CNN, which reported that a man who received an experimental pig kidney transplant subsequently received a human organ [0][2][3].