A team of physician-researchers from the UMC Heart Center, led by Yuriy Pya, is presenting a unique system called ALEM at the World Expo-2025 exhibition in Osaka, Japan, which is being held from April 13 to October 13. The device, developed with the support of the Heart Center Foundation public fund, is designed to preserve and transport donor hearts.
ALEM (Astana Life Ex-situ Machine) is an innovative solution that enables the preservation of donor organs for over 24 hours. This is especially crucial for large countries like Kazakhstan, where one of the main challenges in transplantation is timely organ delivery. Traditional preservation methods allow organs to be stored for only 4 to 6 hours. In contrast, the ALEM technology creates an optimal external environment for the organ, maintains the necessary temperature, saturates the blood with oxygen, and continuously monitors vital parameters in real time.
“We once faced a difficult situation when, due to severe weather, we couldn’t receive a donor heart on time. That’s when the idea was born — to develop an accessible and efficient system for Kazakhstan,” recalls Yuriy Pya, project leader and Chairman of the Board at UMC.
What began as a crisis-born idea has now evolved into a device that has proven its effectiveness and safety through preclinical trials on animals. According to the renowned cardiac surgeon, the system can not only preserve donor organs but also treat them if needed, which can significantly improve transplant outcomes and offer hope to patients in need.
“As a surgeon, I can confidently say that no one can succeed alone. Strong results come only through teamwork. Our ambitious project is the result of tireless physical and intellectual effort by skilled professionals. Without the financial support of the Heart Center Foundation, this project would not have been possible,” says Yuriy Pya.
In addition to engineers, the system’s development involved cardiac surgeons, perfusionists, anesthesiologists, morphologists, nursing specialists, lab technicians, and other UMC Heart Center staff. The journey from idea to implementation took several years. The next step is conducting clinical trials of the ALEM system.
Now showcased at Expo-2025, this life-saving device is being introduced to the international community. This year’s expo theme is “Designing Future Society for Our Lives.” The ALEM project is featured in the “Connecting Lives” section of the Kazakhstan Pavilion. Its participation at Expo-2025 became possible thanks to partner support.
“This product is truly groundbreaking. While the underlying technology isn’t entirely new, its practical application — even at a preclinical level — and use for up to 24 hours is a major medical achievement. What’s especially important is that the ALEM system allows not just preservation but also treatment of the organ outside the body,” emphasized one of the project’s co-authors, Timur Lesbekov, Director of the Clinical Academic Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery at the UMC Heart Center.
Participation in Expo-2025 is an opportunity to highlight the importance of transplantation, unite the professional community around a common goal, and demonstrate Kazakhstan’s scientific and technological potential. Murat Zaurov, Director of the Heart Center Foundation, shared this view. The foundation plays a key role in advancing innovation by supporting cutting-edge technologies, educational initiatives, and awareness projects in cardiology, cardiac surgery, and transplantation.
“This is a historic moment for Kazakhstan. For the first time at a global exhibition, we are presenting such a large-scale medical innovation — the ALEM device. Participating in the World Expo helps expand the horizons of transplantation, highlight the importance of innovation, and bring together doctors, scientists, and engineers in the search for new life-saving solutions. Our main goal is not just to showcase our development but to become part of global technological and medical progress,” said Murat Zaurov.
According to the project developers, technologies like ALEM push the boundaries of traditional clinical solutions, expand the frontiers of medical science, and make advanced technologies accessible to those who need them most.
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