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How NIH funding transforms organ transplantation

Collaboration between NIH, academia and industry gives transplant patients hope—and a chance at life

By Philip Clelland

Every day, thousands of Americans wait anxiously for news that will transform their lives—a transplant that could offer a new lease on life. But beneath the life-changing promise of organ transplantation lies a complex landscape of research and innovation, driven by collaborations among academia, industry and essential funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

At the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Dr. Adriana Zeevi, a renowned expert in transplant diagnostics, has dedicated decades to unraveling the complexities behind organ rejection. Her research primarily focuses on highly sensitized patients—those who possess donor-specific antibodies that might cause their bodies to reject transplanted organs.

Adriana Zeevi, MD Renowned transplant diagnostics expert Adriana Zeevi, M.D., and her team at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center leverage NIH funding for research that explores new methodologies to increase patients' opportunities to receive transplants safely.

"There is tremendous collaboration among multiple institutions because no single center has enough samples to answer the significant global questions in transplantation," Dr. Zeevi says. "NIH recognizes the value—the gold mine—in harnessing multiple centers to rigorously address these questions."

 

Her groundbreaking studies have analyzed how preformed antibodies affect transplant outcomes, providing clinicians with critical insights into patient management.

 

NIH funding has supported these complex multi-center collaborations, enabling comprehensive, rigorously controlled studies that private funding typically cannot replicate, she says.

 

Unlike private sources, NIH funding provides long-term stability, rigorous peer-review processes ensuring scientific validity, and an expansive scope that fosters collaboration across numerous institutions—essential components for addressing significant clinical questions effectively.

 

"We’re talking about highly sensitized patients who would die waiting for a transplant," Dr. Zeevi says. "Through NIH-funded research, we’ve explored new methodologies and interventions, significantly increasing the opportunities for these patients to safely receive transplants."

Thermo Fisher Scientific’s transplant diagnostics business sits at a crucial intersection of this research ecosystem, supplying essential diagnostic technologies that match patients to organ donors and monitor patients for rejection post-transplant.

Tina Liedtky, president of the transplant diagnostics business, underscores how foundational NIH funding has historically driven innovation within the industry.

"The innovations that now form the backbone of our business originated through NIH-funded academic research," Liedtky says. "One Lambda, one of our core brands, was founded on NIH-supported research from Dr. Paul Terasaki at UCLA. His tissue typing technology revolutionized donor-recipient matching—now an essential part of transplantation."

These foundational advancements help clinicians today make more precise donor-recipient matches to lower the risk of rejection and spot signs of early rejection sooner, enabling them to adjust treatments, accordingly, dramatically improving patient outcomes.

"NIH-funded research has been critical," Liedtky says, "not just in our past but for ongoing innovation as well. If NIH funding stalls, innovation slows, ultimately affecting the patients who rely on these advancements."

Tina Liedtky Tina Liedtky, president of Thermo Fisher's transplant diagnostics business

 

The power of these innovations becomes clear when told through patient stories like that of Amelia Garcia.

 

Born with severe heart complications, Amelia required a transplant soon after birth, thrusting her parents, Esmeralda and Frankie Garcia, into a daunting journey.

Amelia’s early days were a roller coaster. Unable to safely hold her without risking severe oxygen deprivation, her parents could only gently grasp her tiny hands and feet while hoping for her "miracle heart."

"You never think you’ll be that mom—that family," Esmeralda says. "You never think you’ll be the story you see online or on the news."

The family received support through the difficult time by Ava’s Heart, an organization dedicated to helping families navigate the challenges associated with transplantation.

Ava Kaufman, founder of Ava’s Heart, vividly remembers the emotional phone call from Esmeralda. "When they received the call, Esmeralda said, 'Ava, you won’t believe it. She's getting her heart today.' It was joyous and yet also deeply emotional."

Photo of a newborn Baby Amelia Garcia, a heart transplant recipient, is thriving as a result of NIH-funded research.

Today, Amelia is thriving. Her mother joyfully recounts seeing her baby begin to crawl, sit up and develop, reflecting on the transformative power of transplantation. "There's a beautiful side of transplant," Esmeralda says. "Your baby will thrive and grow and learn."

 

Dr. Zeevi’s research has directly influenced clinical practices that benefit patients like Amelia, drastically reducing invasive procedures and improving the quality-of-life post-transplant. "Advanced diagnostic tools have empowered clinicians to more precisely tailor treatments, improving patient comfort and outcomes dramatically," she says.

 

photo of family smiling The Garcia Family: Frankie, Esmeralda and baby Amelia.

Yet, the progress that has saved and enhanced countless lives remains precarious. Both Dr. Zeevi and Liedtky voice concern over uncertainties surrounding federal funding for research agencies like NIH, recognizing how crucial continuous support is for future advancements.

 

"Clinical trials demand sustained and reliable support," Dr. Zeevi says. "It would be catastrophic to halt funding midway."

 

Liedtky shares this concern, emphasizing the longer-term risks to innovation. "NIH funding is vital for foundational research," she says. "If it diminishes, the critical pipeline for innovation stalls, limiting our ability to deliver solutions that transform patient lives."

 

For families like the Garcias, the real-world implications are clear. "A transplant doesn’t just save one life—it saves entire families," Esmeralda says.

 

This interconnected ecosystem of academic research, federal support, and industry innovation underscores why sustained NIH funding is not merely budgetary—it's a lifeline. Dr. Zeevi sums it up succinctly: "It's not simply about science. It's about translating research into real-world solutions. It's about saving lives."

Government Relations contact: Media contact:
ken.monahan@thermofisher.com   media.relations@thermofisher.com

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