Advanced liver preservation technology supports broader donor utilization, greater logistical flexibility, and more cost-efficient organ transport
WALTHAM, Mass., May 19, 2026 – Paragonix Technologies, a pioneer in organ transplant technologies and services, announces utilization of the Paragonix LIVERguard® Donor Liver Preservation System by UC Health to support its growing liver transplant program and help expand access to transplantation for more patients.
As transplant programs nationwide work to safely recover and utilize more medically complex and geographically distant donor organs, UC Health’s academic foundation drives the advancement of innovative preservation strategies, enabling broader donor acceptance practices while maintaining clinical confidence throughout the transplant journey.
With the Paragonix LIVERguard System, the program is better positioned to preserve donor livers in a controlled hypothermic environment, monitor key transport conditions in real time, and pursue opportunities that may help reach more patients in need of life-saving transplantation.
Based in Cincinnati, Ohio, UC Health has built a national reputation for innovation in transplant care. In 2025, UC Health performed 145 liver transplants and reported median wait times of just nine days for liver transplant patients, among the lowest in the nation according to the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR). UC Health has been at the forefront of utilizing advanced techniques and technologies with the intent to drive growth and expand the donor pool.
“A key focus of implementing the Paragonix LIVERguard System at our center has been to offset the costs associated with charter jet travel. We now routinely drive donor livers back to our center using LIVERguard from locations up to six hours away, whereas previously these recoveries often required jet travel. This approach not only helps reduce costs for our center but also allows us to do our part to limit carbon emissions,” said Cutler Quillin, MD, Surgical Director of Liver Transplantation at UC Health.
As donor allocation evolves and programs seek to extend their reach, advanced hypothermic preservation is becoming an increasingly important part of the infrastructure needed to safely expand transplant access. The Paragonix LIVERguard System is designed to address long-standing risks associated with traditional ice storage by maintaining a controlled thermal environment and providing real-time visibility into organ temperature, location, and transport status. A recent clinical analysis demonstrated that long distance driving of livers utilizing the LIVERguard System to facilitate longer cold ischemia times can significantly reduce transport-associated costs without negatively impacting outcomes.1
“At Paragonix, we are proud to support leading transplant centers like UC Health as they continue to push the field forward,” said Lisa Anderson, Ph.D., President of Paragonix Technologies. “Programs that are committed to innovation, thoughtful donor utilization, and improved access to transplant are helping redefine what is possible for patients awaiting a second chance at life.”
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