May, 2025.
XENOTHERA, a French biotechnology company based in Nantes and a pioneer in the
development of genetically modified pigs for therapeutic purposes, welcomes the
publication of the National Academy of Medicine’s report urging the immediate
implementation of a National Xenotransplantation Plan. This strategic roadmap aims
to establish a regulated French infrastructure for the production and clinical use of
porcine-derived grafts.
In the face of an escalating shortage of human organs for transplantation, recent advancements in the
United States, China, and France demonstrate that xenotransplantation—particularly kidney and heart
transplants—now represents a scientifically validated and technologically viable therapeutic option.
The Academy emphasizes the need to eliminate remaining scientific, regulatory, ethical, and industrial
barriers to ensure that this innovative approach becomes accessible to patients in France.
Among its key recommendations, the Academy highlights the importance of:
– Substantially strengthening fundamental research on the mechanisms of immune rejection, a domain
in which France holds global expertise,
– Establishing a national transgenic porcine supply chain, including controlled-environment breeding
facilities or “pharmaceutical farms,”
– Adapting existing regulatory frameworks to enable the supervised use of porcine organs in human
transplantation.
XENOTHERA: An operational French leader in xenotransplantation
With extensive experience in immunology and animal biotechnology, XENOTHERA is actively
contributing to this initiative. As early as 2022, the company established a high-biosafety
pharmaceutical farm specifically designed for the breeding of genetically modified pigs lacking major
porcine antigens that cause hyperacute rejection.
This unique facility in France is already equipped to support preclinical and clinical-scale production.
XENOTHERA’s expertise in porcine genetic engineering, combined with a robust research ecosystem,
positions the company as a key member of the national xenotransplantation consortium
“XENOCURE,” launched in March.
A call for swift and coordinated action
XENOTHERA strongly supports the prompt deployment of the proposed National Plan, emphasizing
a sovereign and collaborative approach involving public institutions, health agencies, transplant centers,
industrial stakeholders, and academic researchers. Mastery of this strategic technology at the national
level will be critical for securing France’s future healthcare autonomy and providing a sustainable
solution to thousands of patients awaiting transplants.
“We applaud the foresight and determination of the National Academy of Medicine. This report is a
turning point: it reinforces our commitment and calls us to accelerate. The technological foundation is
in place. Now is the time to act collectively so that xenotransplantation becomes a clinical and human
reality in France.” — Dr. Odile Duvaux, President of XENOTHERA
About XENOTHERA:
Founded in 2014 by a team of renowned scientists (Prof. Jean-Paul Soulillou, Nantes, Prof. Jean-Marie Bach,
Nantes, Prof. Emanuele Cozzi, Padua, Prof. Cesare Galli, Cremona) and under the presidency of Odile Duvaux,
Doctor of Medicine and graduate of the École Normale Supérieure, XENOTHERA is a Nantes-based biotech
company developing new therapeutic approaches in a wide range of fields, with a clear focus on oncology and
immunology. The company develops treatments based on a unique glyco-humanized antibody technology. Its
technological platform is based on dual expertise in genetics and immunology.
The biotech has a comprehensive portfolio of products, three of which are in clinical phase. Its main assets are
LIS1 for transplantation, XON7 for solid tumours and LIS22 for onco-hematology.
XENOTHERA is part of the scientific and medical environment of the Pays de la Loire region (France). Since its
creation, the company has raised 43 million euros, its main financiers being the Pays de la Loire Region, BPI
France and the European fund EIC Fund, as well as private investors.
More information: www.xenothera.com
Follow XENOTHERA on social media: LinkedIn , X
Relations médias :
Akkanto
Carmen Borissova
+33(0)06 09 91 33 03
carmen.borissova@akkanto.fr / xenothera@akkanto.fr