Nebraska Based Xenotransplant Program Receives Nearly
$2 Million Grant
Ximerex, Inc., a biotechnology company founded by University of Nebraska
Medical Center scientist William Beschorner, M.D., has received a $1,999,029
Advanced Technology Program grant to develop innovative technology for
xenotransplantation, the transplantation of organs from animals. The three-year
project would lead to hybrid livers, consisting of pig livers partially
repopulated with human cells, for transplantation into patients with liver
failure. The xenotransplant program involving Ximerex, UNMC, and others
would address a major unmet need caused by a severe shortage of human organ
donors.
Our program is unique in its ability to overcome a major obstacle to
xenotransplantation, severe rejection. That technology along with this
grant to develop hybrid livers and the highly acclaimed reputation of the
clinical transplant programs puts UNMC in a lead position to develop a
successful clinical program for pig xenotransplants, Dr. Beschorner said.
Today there is a severe shortage of human organ donors. For most organs,
as many as 10 times as many transplants could be performed, if the donors
were available. For example, in the United States, approximately 4,600
liver transplants are performed annually. However, more than 16,000 high-priority
patients are currently on the waiting list. As many as 50,000 patients
could benefit each year from a liver transplant if the donor organs were
available.
The transplantation of pig livers could resolve this shortage. However,
many of the proteins produced by pig livers do not function appropriately
in humans. Pig xenografts would also be rejected, even with aggressive
treatment with anti-rejection drugs.
For the project, distinct genetically modified pigs will be developed.
With the appropriate drug therapy, the native pig liver cells will be modified
to allow human liver cells to grow in the pig liver. The human-like hybrid
pig liver should produce human proteins, making it compatible for transplantation
into humans. The hybrid liver would be combined with other technologies
developed by Ximerex, Inc. to prevent xenograft rejection without the need
for severe immune suppression. If
successful, the project would be a major development for patients in
need of a transplant.
The Food and Drug Administration will closely regulate the clinical
trials of xenotransplantation.
Before they can begin, extensive studies and precautions will need to
be completed, demonstrating the effectiveness and safety of the procedure.
Dr. Beschorner estimated that the clinical trials could begin in about
three years for heart and kidney transplants, based on recent progress.
Clinical trials of hybrid livers could begin in about five years.
The Advanced Technology Program received 416 proposals this year and
funded 54 of the proposals in four categories. Dr. Beschorners program
was one of only 15 awards in the biotechnology category.
Ximerex, Inc., a privately held company based in Omaha, was founded
by Beschorner in 1993 to identify and develop platform xenotransplant technologies
for the treatment of patients with organ failure. Dr. Beschorner is the
president and chief scientific officer of Ximerex, Inc. He is a professor
of surgery and has a courtesy appointment in pathology and microbiology
at UNMC.
In addition to UNMC, the company has developed other strategic collaborations
for the project, including Gala Design, LLC (Sauk City, Wis.) and the University
of Pittsburgh department of pathology.
Dr. Beschorner earned his undergraduate degree from Augustana College
in Rock Island, Ill., his masters degree from St. Louis University and
his medical degree from the University of Illinois School of Medicine.
He did transplantation research at the Johns Hopkins Medical Institutes
in Baltimore, Md., until 1995 when he left to pursue research with Ximerex
on a full time basis.
For information about Ximerex, Inc., visit www.ximerex.com or contact
Dr. Beschorner at (402) 559-2235, beschorner@ximerex.com. For information
about the Advanced Technology Program, visit www.atp.nist.gov. For information
about UNMC, visit www.unmc.edu. For information about Gala Design, LLC,
visit www.gala.com.