A-to-O Kidney transplant conversion system

Avivo Biomedical (formerly ABOzymes Biomedical) is developing an enzyme-based technology to convert blood type A donor kidneys into universal type O (ECO) kidneys. This proprietary ex vivo treatment utilizes a system of two bacterial enzymes—FpGalNAc deacetylase and FpGalactosaminidase, derived from *Flavonifractor plautii*—to selectively cleave the N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) sugar molecules that constitute the blood group A antigen on the vascular endothelium. By removing approximately 80 percent of these antigenic markers during normothermic or hypothermic machine perfusion prior to transplantation, the technology aims to mitigate ABO incompatibility and prevent hyperacute rejection in recipients. This donor-centric approach is designed to expand the donor pool and reduce wait times for patients requiring kidney transplants. The program is currently being evaluated under an Investigational Device Exemption (IDE).

Other names

A→O Kidney transplant conversionECO kidneysA-to-O Kidney transplantEnzyme-converted type-O kidneys