New technologies are often described as life-changing, but this phrase quite literally captures the essence of the work being done by 34 Lives for those awaiting kidney transplants.
The team has developed an innovative technology that “revives” kidneys which might otherwise by rejected by transplant surgeons. Their relentless pursuit of saving lives has already results in ten successful kidney rescues, effectively saving ten lives. And this is just the beginning of their journey.
The Organ Transplant Crisis
In the United States, over 120,000 individuals are waiting for a life-saving organ transplant, with the majority of them needing kidneys. The wait for a suitable donor can stretch over several years. During this period, patients often endure the harsh regimen of dialysis, which can lead to deteriorating health, making them too ill to undergo the transplant when a match is finally found. Tragically, an average of 34 people die each day while on the waitlist.
When deciding on a base of operations, 34 Lives found West Lafayette, located just ten minutes from Purdue University, to be the perfect fit. Purdue University has a long history of supporting groundbreaking startups like 34 Lives. The university’s resources and environment offer unparalleled advantages for innovative companies.
“We believe West Lafayette and the Purdue University ecosystem is the perfect fit for our startup,” said Jaynes. “Not only do we have access to world-class facilities and engineering talent, but we are able to merge our life-saving technology with Purdue’s aviation infrastructure. I can’t think of a better partnership.”
A Huge Leap in Lifesaving Technology
A staggering 30% of kidneys recovered for transplant are discarded before reaching a recipient. This loss is devastating not only for those on the waiting list but also for the families of donors who hoped their loves ones’ organs could save lives.
“The whole mission around 34 Lives is centered around ensuring donated organs can save a life as it was intended,” said St. Jean. “To ensure we can save lives and honor the wishes of donors, we needed a holistic ecosystem to work from.”
A well-placed facility can make all the difference, and 34 Lives found such a facility at Purdue Research Park. Located minutes from Purdue University, the research park is one of the largest university-affiliated incubation complexes in the country. It brings together the elements of discovery and delivery, providing the flexibility needed to custom-build Organ Rescue Labs. These labs feature two operating rooms (ORs) where kidneys are revived and immediately prepared for transplant.
The Critical Role of Time
Time is the most crucial element in the kidney-saving process. As time passes, the viability of kidneys diminishes, and surgeons become increasingly hesitant to use them, fearing the risk to the patient’s life.
The transportation of kidneys via commercial airlines often exacerbates this issue, as flights can be delayed or missed, and coolers can be overlooked in cargo areas. The acceptable “out of body” time for a kidney is approximately 24 hours, and delays in transportation can mean the difference between a kidney being viable or not.
For 34 Lives, the proximity to Purdue’s regional airport is a game-changer. The additional time required to transport a kidney from more distant airports like those in Chicago or Indianapolis could render the organ unrecoverable. St. Jean confirms that without access to Purdue’s regional airport, their fifth successful kidney transplant wouldn’t have been possible.
As more high-tech companies take notice, the opportunities for first-class collaboration continue to grow. For companies like 34 Lives and their patients, the connected ecosystem provided by Purdue University is invaluable. The synergy between 34 Lives and Purdue exemplifies the power of collaboration and a shared purpose.
With each kidney revived and each life saved, 34 Lives is inching closer to a future where no patient dies waiting for a transplant. Their partnership with Purdue University showcases how collaborative efforts and shared visions can lead to world-changing solutions.
When brilliant minds come together, the potential to create life-saving technologies becomes a reality, demonstrating that the right environment and resources can make all the difference in transforming innovative ideas into tangible results.
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