Manila: Japanese biotechnology startup PorMedTec Co. announced plans to conduct the country's first clinical trials of pig-to-human kidney transplantation at two hospitals by 2028. The trials will take place at Hokkaido University Hospital and Shonan Kamakura General Hospital.

According to Philippines News Agency, the transplantation of animal organs into humans, known as xenotransplantation, is seen as a potential solution to the chronic shortage of donor organs. PorMedTec, originating from Meiji University, aims to secure manufacturing and marketing approval after ensuring the safety of the procedures through these trials.

PorMedTec has imported cells from genetically modified pigs, developed by U.S. startup eGenesis, to raise cloned pigs in Japan for transplantation purposes. The kidneys removed from these cloned pigs will be transplanted into patients during the clinical trials.