OrganOx

Highlights ⭐

• Solving the problem: Conventional cold preservation involves the storage of the liver at 4˚C, using a non-physiological perfusion solution that aims to minimize liver decay. By contrast, warm preservation seeks to re-create an environment that mimics the human body by continuously perfusing at physiological pressures and flows with oxygen-carrying red cells at 37˚C and providing nutrition. The liver is, therefore, functional during the preservation period, producing bile, metabolizing glucose and maintaining a physiological pH. This enables an objective assessment of organ performance prior to transplant, extended preservation times, and the potential use of organs that are presently being discarded.
• Years in the making: The core technology employed by the OrganOx metra has been in development for over 15 years. During this time, both founders (Professor Peter Friend and Professor Constantin Coussios) have driven the development of organ preservation and maintenance, formerly at the University of Cambridge and latterly at the University of Oxford.
• It works: With more than 2,500 OrganOx-supported liver transplants (July 2023) successfully performed in Europe, the US, and Australia, the rapid growth in the use of metra has been driven by the ability to preserve livers for longer periods than the current gold standard, enabling surgeons to assess liver function before transplantation. The metra technology also enables transplants to be routinely scheduled during the working day, avoiding overnight surgery, which improves the surgical team's working schedule.