Neonatal and Young Kidneys: Safer, Longer Kidney Storage with Nanowarming and Glassy Preservation
Official title: Neonatal and Young Pediatric Kidney Preservation through Nanowarming and Vitrification
Funded at Expanse Bio LLC · NIH-11394862 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A project to help save kidneys for babies and young children by using advanced cooling and warming methods that protect the organs for longer storage before transplantation.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Expanse Bio LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (North Charleston, United States) |
| Project start | September 14, 2018 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $983,076 |
| NIH project number | 5R44AI186974-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11394862 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Infants and children with kidney failure who may need a transplant and could benefit from improved organ preservation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients unlikely to benefit include those not awaiting kidney transplants or without compatible donors under current protocols.
What this research studies
This program develops and tests a cryopreservation approach that uses a glass-like, ice-free state to store kidneys for extended periods. Researchers are refining cryoprotective agents and a nanowarming process to prevent ice growth and tissue damage when thawing. The work focuses on pediatric patients who need kidney transplants, aiming to expand donor options and reduce waitlist deaths. If successful, it could enable nationwide, then global, matching of kidneys to young recipients and may support future approaches to immune tolerance. The study builds on prior Phase I results and moves toward scalable clinical application.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could dramatically increase the number of kidneys available for young patients and reduce wait times.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary Phase I results show promise in cryopreservation techniques and nanowarming, but broader clinical validation is still needed.
Where this research is happening
-
Expanse Bio LLC
North Charleston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Weegman, Bradley P — Expanse Bio LLC
- Study coordinator: Weegman, Bradley P
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.