Applying the typical hype curve to xenotransplantation indicates we are in the productivity phase.
From an initial technology trigger in the 1990’s, the curve peaked then decayed rapidly. New gene editing technology in the early 2010’s addressed the core need to improve efficiency.
Advances in treatment protocols have improved early results and new clinical trials are targeting patients most likely to have long term benefits.
The typical hype curve associated with new technology can be applied to Xenotransplantation.
After an initial technology trigger in the 1990’s, the hype curve peaked then decayed rapidly. New gene editing technology in the early 2010’s addressed the core need to defunctionalize (or knock out) genes efficiently.
Clinicians have since optimized the immunosuppression to produce extended survival in the pig to non-human primate model of xenotransplantation. Pig organs proved their physiologic compatibility with humans in unselected “compassionate use” cases with rejection being controlled in some cases.
Clinical trials have been green lighted by the FDA in the US, and are also beginning elsewhere. Until now, there has been no opportunity to choose patients that match well with pig organs.
These clinical trials will be able to implement donor-recipient matching that propelled transplantation of human organs to a viable and trusted clinical service last century.
Manufacturing techniques have been shown capable of producing the pathogen-free pigs aimed at wider clinical use.