United Therapeutics has unveiled a $24m partnership with the University of Maryland, focused on cardiac xenotransplantation research. The partners will set up a research centre in Baltimore. Xenotransplantation is the practice of transplanting organs between species. In an interview with Reuters, Dr David Altshuler, chief executive officer at UnitedHealthcare, said that his company was “very excited about this partnership”.
United Therapeutics has unveiled a $24m partnership with the University of Maryland, focused on cardiac xenotransplantation research. The partners will set up a research centre in Baltimore. Xenotransplantation is the practice of transplanting organs between species. The research will focus on transplanting pig hearts into humans; it is hoped that the procedure will eventually prove a viable alternative to current treatment options for end stage organ failure.