NEWS

January 26 – National Transplantation Day: Are We on the Brink of a Breakthrough in Transplantology?

January 26 marks National Transplantation Day in Poland, an initiative aimed at promoting the topic of transplantology, including procedures related to organ transplants and post-mortem organ donation. Transplantation saves lives, extends them, and improves quality of life. However, the field has long faced a crisis: the demand for organ transplants continues to grow, with many patients dying while waiting for new kidneys, hearts, or livers. Expert estimates provide little optimism, suggesting that the need for transplantable organs will only increase in the future. But how can the shortage of donors be addressed? New technologies and scientific discoveries certainly offer hope.

Organ transplantation is a life-saving treatment for patients suffering from end-stage organ failure, such as chronic kidney disease, which affects approximately 4.5 million people in Poland. Globally, around 100,000 kidney transplants are performed annually, with about 1,000 of these in Poland. However, this is a drop in the ocean compared to the need. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), half a million patients worldwide are waiting for new organs, and this number is expected to rise. Chronic kidney disease progression leads to end-stage renal failure. While dialysis is often the initial treatment, a kidney transplant is ultimately necessary. This is where the critical issue arises: the lack of donors and organs. As a result, many patients endure years of dialysis because the waiting list for new kidneys is excessively long. Tragically, many die before receiving a transplant.

Statistics
According to the Organizational and Coordination Center for Transplantation Poltransplant, 2024 saw a record number of organ transplants in Poland, with 2,197 organs from deceased donors benefiting 2,151 patients. While the number of transplants from deceased donors is increasing, few people opt to donate a kidney to a loved one, or they fail to meet tissue compatibility requirements. In 2024, 82 kidneys and 24 liver segments were transplanted from living donors, often family members. Living donor transplants generally result in longer organ viability. Kidneys from living donors remain functional for an average of 15 years – five years longer than those from deceased donors – primarily due to better preservation and shorter ischemia times (about one hour versus 30 hours for deceased donors).

Transplant Waiting Lists
Despite the rise in transplants from deceased donors in recent years, especially compared to the pandemic period, the waiting list for new organs continues to grow. As of December 2024, the National Transplant Waiting List included 1,905 patients. The majority were waiting for kidney transplants (1,122 patients), followed by 415 for hearts, 181 for livers, and 139 for lungs. Experts warn that the organ shortage will worsen, particularly as the number of chronic kidney disease patients increases. WHO forecasts indicate that by 2030, the number of dialysis patients could double, many of whom will require kidney transplants. The organ shortage lengthens waiting times, leading to deteriorating patient health and, in some cases, death.

Immunological Challenges
The immune response of transplant recipients to the transplanted organ remains one of the most significant challenges in transplantology. Graft rejection, an immune reaction against the foreign organ, is a primary cause of transplant failure. While advancements in immunosuppressants have reduced rejection risks, these medications carry severe long-term side effects, including higher susceptibility to infections, cancer, and other conditions. The challenge lies in balancing effective rejection prevention with minimizing side effects.

Long-Term Care for Transplant Recipients
Post-transplant care is critical for ensuring the long-term success of transplants. Recipients require ongoing medical monitoring and regular check-ups to assess organ function and address complications. Challenges include managing the side effects of immunosuppressants, monitoring mental health, and addressing social and occupational issues stemming from chronic illness and treatment.

Advances and Future Perspectives
Despite numerous challenges, transplantology continues to evolve, and new technologies and scientific discoveries offer hope for overcoming many of these issues. Research into artificial organs, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine may significantly reduce reliance on organ donors in the future. Furthermore, advances in immunology could lead to the development of more precise and less harmful immunosuppressive therapies.

Addressing the issues of organ shortages, ethical dilemmas, immunological complications, and ensuring adequate long-term care for transplant recipients are key to the future of this field of medicine. Only by understanding and tackling these challenges can we ensure better outcomes for patients and further advancement in transplantology.

Transplantology is a race against time, says Professor Tomasz Ciach, a board member of NanoGroup, adding: We have found a way to extend this time and, in doing so, not only preserve the full functionality of the retrieved organ but even improve its condition.

The organ perfusion system designed by the Polish company comprises the innovative NanOX perfusion fluid, the NanOX Recovery Box perfusion device, and an advanced data analysis model combined with an organ perfusion protocol.

NanOX is a comprehensive, proprietary system that includes an innovative device and fluid for extracorporeal organ storage and regeneration for transplantation, developed in our Warsaw laboratory, explains Piotr Mierzejewski, Vice President of the company. It consists of the NanOX 4K perfusion fluid, the universal NanOX Recovery Box perfusion device, which monitors the vital functions of the organ, and a proprietary perfusion protocol.

The usefulness of the solution has been confirmed through numerous experiments, the most recent of which, conducted in 2023, successfully achieved kidney perfusion lasting approximately six days. In July 2024, a team led by Professor Maciej Kosieradzki from the Medical University of Warsaw, President of the Polish Transplant Society, performed an autotransplantation procedure.

This was likely one of the most complex and technologically advanced procedures currently conducted in Poland as part of preclinical and clinical research. At the same time, it should be emphasized that we were the first to successfully perform kidney autotransplantation using a synthetic preservation fluid devoid of hemoglobin under subnormothermic conditions. In practice, this was a successful preclinical trial, but since the subject could not yet be a human patient, we carried it out on a domestic pig, said Professor Kosieradzki, who combines his work on the project with his duties as Head of the General and Transplant Surgery Clinic at the Dzieciątka Jezus Clinical Hospital.

The experiment involved removing one kidney from the animal after a 30-minute circulatory arrest (simulating a 30-minute cardiac death of a patient), performing perfusion of the organ with the NanOX fluid and using the NanOX Recovery Box device under extracorporeal subnormothermic conditions, that is, at a temperature of 25 degrees Celsius, for 12 hours.

This technology, combined with the unique NanOX 4K fluid, which uses nanoparticles to deliver oxygen to the organ and remove carbon dioxide, provides the organ with the necessary substrates for metabolism, oxygenation, and nourishment. In practice, this means that the kidney not only retained its viability for transplantation during this time but also underwent regeneration processes.

In the next phase, after the researchers removed the second kidney, they transplanted the organ, which had previously undergone extracorporeal perfusion, back into the animal. Subsequently, intensive monitoring of the patient’s health and the functioning of the transplanted kidney was carried out over the following two weeks.

By the eighth day after the procedure, the animal regained full fitness, as did the transplanted kidney, which was confirmed by biochemical test results, recalls Dr. Hab. Jarosław Woliński, Professor of the Polish Academy of Sciences.

Professor Kosieradzki believes that this groundbreaking discovery could soon become a standard in treating patients waiting for new organs. The solution developed by NanoGroup is a true revolution. The ability to maintain organs in extracorporeal conditions for many days while simultaneously regenerating them could significantly increase the number of transplantations performed. This is an opportunity that tens of thousands of patients worldwide have been waiting for years, says the expert.

The successful autotransplantation is an important step toward commercializing the NanOX system, according to Piotr Mierzejewski. The results of our experiment open new possibilities in the field of transplantation. We have proven that our system not only allows for significantly longer organ storage but also enables their regeneration, and who knows, maybe even extracorporeal treatment in the future, assesses the Vice President of NanoGroup S.A.

This is a solution that, until now, could only be seen on television screens in sci-fi movies. Thanks to this unique innovation, we not only gain time for performing transplants. Most organs are transplanted from deceased donors who often suffer from various conditions that can damage kidneys, livers, or hearts. Perhaps with this solution, we will be able to cure some of these diseases or eliminate their effects in isolated organs. Truly vast opportunities are opening up before us, explains Professor Kosieradzki, a member of the newly established Scientific Council and head of one of the research teams.

Research into the innovative system for storing organs for transplantation, conducted by NanoGroup’s subsidiary, is being carried out in collaboration with the Jan Kielanowski Institute of Animal Physiology and Nutrition of the Polish Academy of Sciences, as well as a team led by Professor Maciej Kosieradzki, MD, PhD, and Professor Wojciech Lisik, MD, PhD, from the Department of General and Transplant Surgery at the Medical University of Warsaw.

Paweł Ciach

Member of the Supervisory Board of NANOGROUP S.A.

Diplomat and specialist in the marketing and media industry. Graduate of the Department of International Relations at the National Institute of Oriental Languages and Civilizations in Paris and history and sociology at the Higher School of Social Sciences at the Faculty of History in Paris. Graduate of the Diplomatic Academy (Diplomatische Akademie) in Vienna and Postgraduate Management Studies at the Faculty of Management at the University of Warsaw. Worked as a journalist, publicist, reviewer, translator and foreign correspondent. Former advisor to the president of the board for media relations at the Agricultural Market Agency and president of the board of Press-Net. Public Relations trainer, among others at: Migut Media, Knowledge, ECU International, Advertising Academy Adam Śledański. He served as director of the board office of the Association of Organizations for the Employment of Disabled Persons and president of the board of the foundation “Niezależny. Fundacja na rzecz Nieprawni”. Lecturer at the Institute of Journalism of the Warsaw School of Advertising.

Jose Arrieta

Member of the Supervisory Board of NANOGROUP S.A.

Jose Arrieta is the former Chief Information Officer and Chief Data Officer of the United States Department of Health and Human Services. He oversaw $6.3B in IT investments, $800B in grants and $26B in Federal contracts in his last three years at HHS. He provided cyber security solutions for 174,000 people and a network that transacted with over 160 countries around the world. Jose led the creation and implementation of the largest public health surveillance capability in the United States during the pandemic and led the implementation of a national supervised machine learning effort to accurately distribute testing supplies and predict pandemic “hot spots” across the United States. He successfully defended the HHS network against multiple large scale nation state driven cyber-attacks. He led the first three implementations of blockchain technology in the public sector in the United States one of which was focused on reducing costs and speeding up procurement lifecycle. Jose was a cabinet level agency executive in the following positions: deputy assistant secretary for acquisition and grants, chief information officer, chief data officer, small business executive chief acquisition executive and senior procurement executive. Jose managed the largest contracting vehicle in the United States. He created and taught the first blockchain course (blockchain and cryptos) at Johns Hopkins University and taught business courses at University of Virginia and Prince George’s Community College. He founded small incubator called imagineeer when he left Government and works with customers and advises start-ups in the following markets: healthcare, food, energy, climate change, streaming and analytics, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing. He is a member of the Navy Secretary’s Science and Technology Advisory Board.

Marek Borzestowski

Member of the Supervisory Board of NANOGROUP S.A.

For many years, President of the Management Board of NanoGroup, a holding company of biotechnology companies. Entrepreneur, manager and founder of many innovative companies with over 20 years of experience as co-owner and board member in leading Polish biotechnology, IT and e-commerce companies. After over a decade of work as president of the first internet portal in Poland – Wirtualna Polska, he founded the Polish-Israeli VC Giza Polish Ventures. Founder of the Sobieski Institute think tank, Startup Hub Poland Foundation. Member of supervisory boards in many innovative companies. Marek is a graduate of the Faculty of Management and Economics of the Gdańsk University of Technology, he also studied at the University of Wales in Great Britain. He conducted scientific research at the Center for Nuclear Research in Karlsruhe and the Gdańsk University of Technology.

Artur Olender

Member of the Supervisory Board of NANOGROUP S.A.

Investor, entrepreneur and financial advisor with over 28 years of professional experience. He managed the oldest Polish brokerage company – DM Penetrator S.A. Partner in Addventure and chairman of the supervisory boards of Intersport Polska S.A., Ailleron S.A., Archicom S.A., Sotis Sp. z o.o., OTC S.A. Former advisor to the Minister of Ownership Transformations and the Minister of the Treasury in privatization processes. Active participant in many environmental and legislative initiatives for the development of the Polish capital market. He participated in the implementation of dozens of projects to raise capital on the private and stock exchange market. He introduced to the stock exchange, among others, Mostostal Warszawa, Odlewnie Polskie, Poligrafia, WSiP, Polmos Białystok, Intersport, K2, Inteliwise, Cyfrowy Polsat, OT Logistic, Mercator Medical, Ailleron and Archicom. He studied at AGH and London Business School. Privately: windsurfer, sailor, skier, traveler, poet, composer and philanthropist.

Tadeusz Wesołowski

Member of the Supervisory Board of NANOGROUP S.A.

A well-known investor focused on companies from the medical and biotechnology industries. He has extensive professional experience in the healthcare sector. Founder of Prosper S.A., which is part of the NEUCA S.A. Capital Group – the leader of the pharmaceutical distribution market in Poland. Member of the supervisory boards of companies listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange: NEUCA, Selvita and Braster. He is also involved in Venture Capital funds: Inovo and Experior. Doctor of Technical Sciences, graduate of the Warsaw University of Technology.

Robert Dziubłowski

Member of the Supervisory Board of NANOGROUP S.A.

Co-founder of Top Consulting S.A., one of the oldest consulting companies on the Polish market. He has over 25 years of international experience in the field of investment consulting, capital raising for companies, market acquisitions and company management. Long-time consultant to American financial organizations on Wall Street in New York, including those listed on the NASDAQ and NYSE stock exchanges. He advised, among others: Household International in preparing an acquisition strategy and obtaining a banking license in Poland, Wussler Group, a partner of Ted Turner Pictures in its attempt to take over NTV, the largest private television station in Russia, Eiffage Construction in the takeover of Mitex, the largest construction company at that time, Industrial Union of Donbas, an industrial group in Ukraine. Member, chairman and president of supervisory boards of many companies listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange, including: Bauma S.A. (currently ULMA S.A.), Computerland Poland S.A. (currently Signity), PolAqua S.A. Co-founder of the Start-up Hub Poland Fund. Graduate of the Faculty of Journalism and Political Science at the University of Warsaw and International Relations at the University of Hawaii in Honolulu.

Jerzy Garlicki

President of the Supervisory Board of NANOGROUP S.A.

Medical doctor, also completed MBA, effective manager. Organizer of business model and company structures – experienced in building and developing companies and conducting restructuring processes of enterprises. In the past director and motivator of large companies and teams of people. A man recognizable as a leader in the Polish pharmaceutical industry. Member of the Supervisory Board of American Heart of Poland SA and President of WSiP SA. Previously President of Astra Zeneca Sp. z o.o., President of Fournier Polska Sp. z o.o., Sales Director of Pfizer Polska Sp. z o.o., Sales Director and Marketing Director of MSD Poland – also operating in the area of clinical trials.

Prof. Tomasz Ciach

Founder, Member of the Management Board of NANOGROUP S.A.

Nanotechnology expert. Professor at the Faculty of Chemical and Processing Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, head of the Biotechnology and Bioprocessing Division. Author of two technologies that are already in production stage, 12 granted patents and over 50 publications. Founder of BioMedLab research group, consultant in numerous companies (AstraZeneca, Procter and Gamble, Reckit, Adamed, Balton, Galmed). Work on various aspects of Biomedical Engineering, mostly on biomedical nanotechnology, active coatings for medical implants, nanoparticles for cancer treatment, biodegradable and nonbiodegradable implants, bone and vascular prosthesis. He gives rare, but already brilliant example of how brave ideas become socially and financially valuable.

Piotr Mierzejewski

Vice President of the Management Board of NANOGROUP S.A.

Clinical pharmacology specialist, former advisor to the Minister of Health on drug policy. He negotiated Poland’s accession to the EU in the field of pharmacy, responsible for the implementation of EU directives in the field of pharmacy into the Polish legal system. Co-founder of the Office for Registration of Medicinal Products, Medical Devices and Biocidal Products. Owner of a consulting company cooperating with international pharmaceutical companies in the field of introducing new technologies to the Polish market.

Przemysław Mazurek

President of the Management Board of NANOGROUP S.A.

Associated with the health market since 2004. As Managing Director, he restructured and developed the most dynamically operating Medical Center in the Podkarpacie region, creating and setting new standards of customer service quality on the market. Co-creator of the first solution in Poland for online registration of medical appointments. Co-founder of the first and only Infertility Treatment Clinic (MEDICOR) in Podkarpacie, which he headed as the President until 2009. He was responsible for the development of health insurance in the PZU Group. As Vice President of PZU Pomoc S.A. created the largest medical TPA in Poland to handle health insurance. Co-founder of the first drug insurance in Poland. Since 2015, he has been active in the field of Wealth Management and advises on management and finance. A graduate of International Economic and Political Relations as well as Management and Marketing at the Warsaw School of Economics.

Przemysław Mazurek

President of the Management Board of NANOGROUP S.A.

Associated with the health market since 2004. As Managing Director, he restructured and developed the most dynamically operating Medical Center in the Podkarpacie region, creating and setting new standards of customer service quality on the market. Co-creator of the first solution in Poland for online registration of medical appointments. Co-founder of the first and only Infertility Treatment Clinic (MEDICOR) in Podkarpacie, which he headed as the President until 2009. He was responsible for the development of health insurance in the PZU Group. As Vice President of PZU Pomoc S.A. created the largest medical TPA in Poland to handle health insurance. Co-founder of the first drug insurance in Poland. Since 2015, he has been active in the field of Wealth Management and advises on management and finance. A graduate of International Economic and Political Relations as well as Management and Marketing at the Warsaw School of Economics.