What's Your Problem? Growing New Livers to Save Lives
Mar 19, 2026
Michael Hufford, co-founder and CEO of LyGenesis, is building a way to grow functional livers inside patients using lymph nodes. He discusses the liver's regenerative power. He explains why lymph nodes act as tiny bioreactors and reviews animal data and current human trials. He also covers the injection procedure, safety risks, and the broader future of regenerative medicine.
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Lymph Nodes Are Natural Bioreactors
- Lymph nodes act as natural bioreactors that grow immune cells and can support other tissues.
- Their vascularized, confined environment makes them agnostic growth niches—cancer spreads there for the same reason normal tissues can grow.
Efficacy Extended From Mice To Pigs
- The lymph-node approach worked in pigs as well, not just mice, and even rescued animals after surgical liver injury.
- Eric told Michael he "can't get this not to work," indicating robustness across models.
LyGenesis Entered Human Trials
- LyGenesis is running a first-in-human Phase 2A trial treating end-stage liver disease patients, mostly from transplant waitlists.
- They completed the first low-dose cohort of 4 patients at Houston Methodist and proceeded to dose escalation per DSMB guidance.