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LifeShare Uses Groundbreaking Technology to Improve Quality of Livers and Save More LivesOrganization partners with OrganOx and Ochre Bio to study perfusion technology that sustains livers outside a donor’s body; first liver successfully perfused in November
LifeShare of Oklahoma, the organization in the state responsible for the recovery of organs and tissue for transplant, has partnered with Ochre Bio, a British biotech company, to conduct research using new perfusion technology that is proposed to improve both the number and quality of livers available for transplant.
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The research project is focused on using a liver perfusion device called the metra, which was developed by OrganOx, allowing livers to be maintained outside of a donor’s body while awaiting transplant, extending the time that the organ can be maintained prior to transplantation. It also provides transplant centers more time to evaluate the liver grafts before transplanting into a recipient, increasing the potential for a successful match.
“While LifeShare’s top priority is to save lives through organ donation, we also support medical research and development as it can have a direct impact in furthering our mission,” said Clint Hostetler, Vice President of Clinical Operations for LifeShare. “The new technology we are using in our current research promises to be a game changer for those waiting for liver transplants.” |
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LifeShare has specially trained technicians that operate the OrganOx metra device. Following recovery specifically for research, the liver is perfused for an extended period of time, up to 5 days. During this time LifeShare staff gain valuable technical knowledge, preparing them for the future of organ preservation to serve transplant patients. While performing extended perfusions, LifeShare works with Ochre Bio to support preclinical research, developing potential treatments for patients with Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH). NASH is a leading cause of liver failure resulting in the need for a lifesaving transplant.
Since the launch of this research project in early November, LifeShare has successfully employed the device to keep four donated livers functioning outside the body, providing valuable research data and information for Ochre Bio.
“With 11,500 patients on the liver transplant wait list and estimates that over half of donor livers will be discarded by 2030, it's paramount that we search for therapeutic interventions to improve donor liver quality,” shared Jack O’Meara, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Ochre Bio. “Alongside pioneers in the field like OrganOx and LifeShare, we hope this research will impact the lives of transplant patients, and potentially even chronic liver diseases more generally.”
The current organ transplant wait list is at approximately 106,000 individuals from across the country, with more than 11,500 of those individuals waiting for a lifesaving liver. LifeShare is committed to maximizing every gift of donation to save the lives of those waiting for a transplant.
About LifeShare
LifeShare is a nonprofit, federally designated organ procurement organization (OPO) dedicated to the recovery of organs and tissue for transplant purposes. We work closely with three transplant centers and 145 healthcare organizations in the state of Oklahoma to facilitate donation. Additionally, we strive to raise awareness for organ, eye and tissue donation and transplantation through public education.
Since the launch of this research project in early November, LifeShare has successfully employed the device to keep four donated livers functioning outside the body, providing valuable research data and information for Ochre Bio.
“With 11,500 patients on the liver transplant wait list and estimates that over half of donor livers will be discarded by 2030, it's paramount that we search for therapeutic interventions to improve donor liver quality,” shared Jack O’Meara, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Ochre Bio. “Alongside pioneers in the field like OrganOx and LifeShare, we hope this research will impact the lives of transplant patients, and potentially even chronic liver diseases more generally.”
The current organ transplant wait list is at approximately 106,000 individuals from across the country, with more than 11,500 of those individuals waiting for a lifesaving liver. LifeShare is committed to maximizing every gift of donation to save the lives of those waiting for a transplant.
About LifeShare
LifeShare is a nonprofit, federally designated organ procurement organization (OPO) dedicated to the recovery of organs and tissue for transplant purposes. We work closely with three transplant centers and 145 healthcare organizations in the state of Oklahoma to facilitate donation. Additionally, we strive to raise awareness for organ, eye and tissue donation and transplantation through public education.
