Creating access to lung transplant for high-risk candidates
Official title: CATCH: Creating Access to Transplant for Candidates who are High Risk
Funded at University Health Network · NIH-11393345 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A national effort aims to improve how people with very high risk, such as those with ARDS or on ECMO, can access life-saving lung transplants and have better outcomes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University Health Network NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Toronto, Canada) |
| Project start | August 5, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $390,726 |
| NIH project number | 5U01HL163298-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11393345 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with end-stage lung disease who are highly sensitized, on ECMO as a bridge to transplant, or suffering from ARDS including COVID-19-associated ARDS.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without high-risk factors or those not pursuing transplant pathways may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project focuses on standardizing and guiding the transfer of high-risk lung transplant candidates to appropriate programs. Through the NIH Lung Transplant Consortium, it seeks to generate data and recommendations to reduce disparities in access and improve safety for these patients. The work involves coordinating between transplant centers, collecting real-world data, and developing guidelines to inform clinical decisions for highly sensitized patients, ECMO-BTT patients, and ARDS/COVID-19 ARDS cases. If successful, it could lead to clearer pathways for candidates who previously faced variable treatment and limited evidence.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Patients who are highly eligible for transplant could gain access to more consistent, safer, and timely evaluation and listing processes.
How similar studies have gone: Prior efforts have shown that collaborative guidelines and data-sharing can reduce variation in transplant practices and improve outcomes in high-risk groups.
Where this research is happening
-
University Health Network
Toronto, Canada Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Keshavjee, Shaf — University Health Network
- Study coordinator: Keshavjee, Shaf
Related research
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.