Newcastle Scientist Developing Transplant Breakthrough to Protect Donated Kidneys from Immune System ‘Attack’
A Newcastle-based scientist is developing a ground-breaking therapy to protect donated kidneys from damage in the crucial seconds after transplant - and thanks to support from Kidney Research UK, his team is one step closer to bringing it to patients.
Professor Kevin Marchbank, based at Newcastle University, has received new funding to take his kidney-targeted treatment to the next stage of testing. The therapy - more than a decade in the making - is designed to coat the kidney before it’s transplanted, helping shield it from a damaging immune system response.
“When a kidney is transplanted, the body sees it as something foreign and can attack it right away,” Professor Marchbank explained. “We’ve developed a drug that acts like a protective blanket. It’s added before the operation and washes over the kidney, helping it survive that first big immune hit. This could help the kidney work better and last longer for patients.”
This latest funding will support a crucial next phase of the project: determining how much of the drug is needed to protect a donated kidney while ensuring the treatment remains safe for future patients. It will also help researchers understand how much of the drug is absorbed by the kidney tissue and how quickly it is cleared from the system. These insights are essential to prepare for regulatory approval and clinical trials – bridging the gap between promising lab research and real-world treatment in transplant operating theatres.
Professor Marchbank, who moved to Newcastle almost two decades ago to focus on patient-focused kidney research, said: “It’s not about grand discoveries overnight – it’s about commitment and community. The support of Kidney Research UK has kept this project alive at key moments, and we’re so close now to seeing it move towards helping people.”
Figures from Kidney Research UK reveal the scale of the challenge in North Cumbria and the North East, with an estimated 379,700 people living with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and 1643 currently receiving dialysis treatment. In 2023, 152 kidney transplants were carried out locally — a vital intervention, but still not enough to meet demand, with six people across the UK dying every week whilst waiting for a transplant. The condition is also placing a significant strain on local health services, costing the regional economy approximately £23 million per year.
Elaine Davies, Director of Research Operations at Kidney Research UK, added: “This is an incredibly exciting development from a passionate North East team. It shows how long-term research support - and collaboration across regions and charities - can bring hope to patients who are still waiting for the breakthroughs they need. With over 588,000 people estimated to be living with chronic kidney disease across Yorkshire, this could represent a vital step toward improving outcomes for thousands of patients who currently face limited treatment options.”
People across the region can support life-changing research like this by joining the Newcastle Bridges Walk on Sunday 7 July. Every step helps raise funds for vital kidney research and brings hope to families facing kidney disease. Find out more or sign up at: www.kidneyresearchuk.org/bridgeswalk
