Tonix and Makana Join Forces to Advance Xenotransplantation with Anti-Rejection Antibody TNX-1500

Tonix Pharmaceuticals and Makana Therapeutics have announced a groundbreaking research partnership aimed at addressing one of medicine’s most urgent needs: the chronic shortage of viable organs for transplant. Together, they will evaluate Tonix’s monoclonal antibody candidate, TNX-1500, in combination with Makana’s genetically engineered pig-derived organs and cells in preclinical studies. Their shared goal? To bring xenotransplantation a step closer to reality for patients in desperate need of kidneys, hearts, and islet cells—with potential to support compassionate use under FDA guidance.

The collaboration brings together Tonix’s deep immunology expertise with Makana’s novel swine leukocyte antigen (SLA)-deleted pigs—designed for improved human compatibility and efficient organ yield. With TNX-1500 showing exceptional results in preventing organ rejection across animal models and promising human data, the teams see this as a pivotal immunomodulatory strategy. “We’re aligning science and purpose,” said Makana CEO Mark Platt. “This partnership has the potential to unlock life-saving treatments for patients who currently have no options.”