GlycoNet startup Avivo achieves world’s first blood type A-to-O kidney transplant, a breakthrough for universal donor organs

In a world-first, researchers have successfully transplanted a donor kidney after converting it from blood type A to the universal type O, removing one of the biggest barriers in organ donation: blood-type compatibility. The landmark study, published in Nature Biomedical Engineering, was led by Dr. Turun Song at West China Hospital in Chengdu, in partnership with the University of British Columbia (UBC) and Vancouver-based Avivo Biomedical Inc. (Avivo), a GlycoNet-supported startup.

Transforming Transplant Medicine
More than 3,500 Canadians and 100,000 Americans await lifesaving organ transplants, yet many donor organs go unused due to blood-type mismatch. Researchers in this study used a proprietary enzyme system, discovered at UBC and being developed by Avivo, to convert a type A kidney to type O. The resulting Enzyme-Converted type-O (ECO) kidney was transplanted into a brain-dead, blood type–mismatched recipient using standard clinical protocols.

Key findings include:

• No hyperacute rejection was observed.
• The ECO kidney retained its physiological function post-transplant.

“This is the first time a type A human kidney has been converted to ECO and successfully transplanted into a mismatched recipient,” said John Coleman, CEO of Avivo. “Publication in Nature Biomedical Engineering underscores the significance of this breakthrough and its potential to transform organ transplantation. By enabling every donor organ to become universally compatible, our ECO platform has the potential to save more lives and reduce waitlist mortality.”

The Path to Universal Organ Access
The ability to convert donor kidneys – and ultimately other organs – into type O could dramatically expand the donor pool, reduce waitlist mortality, and ensure more equitable access to lifesaving transplants.

The decedent transplant model used in this study is particularly compelling, as it replicates real transplant conditions, including blood flow, immune response, and surgical handling, without exposing living patients to risk. Originally pioneered for xenotransplantation, the decedent model is recognized by the FDA as a pathway towards clinical trials. With these results, Avivo plans additional studies to evaluate longer-term graft survival.

Original Source: Business Wire Press Release