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Japanese Startup Tests Catheter Injection of iPS Heart Muscle Cells
Heartseed conducted a catheter-based trial on a patient in his 70s at Shinshu University Hospital in late March. The company plans to expand testing to 14 participants by 2029.
Jun 13, 2:26 AM·1m read1 source
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Heartseed conducted a clinical trial injecting small masses of heart muscle cells produced from induced pluripotent stem cells into a patient via catheter at Shinshu University Hospital in late March. The patient, a man in his 70s diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy, showed generally favorable condition after the procedure and has been discharged from the hospital.
The Tokyo-based company plans to test the catheter procedure on a total of 14 participants by 2029 to verify safety and effects on heart function.
Heartseed previously developed a treatment involving surgical transplantation of heart muscle cell masses called spheroids. In a clinical trial of that method involving 10 patients with severe heart failure, improvements in cardiac function and symptoms were confirmed with no major safety problems found.
The company aims to apply for pharmaceutical approval to make and sell the spheroids and a related device within 2026.
“The biggest advantage of catheters is that they reduce the burden on patients,” said CEO Keiichi Fukuda, professor emeritus of Keio University. ” The catheter-based injection is regarded as a next-generation treatment far less invasive than surgical transplantation. Heartseed hopes to develop a minimally invasive treatment method that does not require surgery.
