USC's Keck School of Medicine partners with StemCardia to advance heart failure treatment

Heart failure, which happens when the heart cannot pump blood sufficiently throughout the body, is the leading cause of death worldwide. In the United States, it contributes to 1 in every 8 deaths and is the most common reason for hospitalization among adults over 65.

But few treatment options exist, which is why only about half of patients with heart failure survive more than five years after their diagnosis. Innovation is urgently needed to prolong lives and to reduce the substantial burden of heart failure on health care systems around the world.

Murry, a physician-scientist with decades of experience studying stem cell biology, has led efforts to regenerate human heart tissue and restore the organ's ability to pump blood. His research explores innovative approaches for heart failure, including cellular replacement and genetic enhancement.

Redefining the treatment landscape

Two primary goals define the new collaboration. Murry and his team aim to develop new cell replacement therapies, including using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to regenerate heart muscle. They will also create new gene therapies that have been shown experimentally to strengthen heart muscle contraction. Over the next year, the team will conduct critical safety and efficacy studies to gain approval to begin testing in patients via the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Investigational New Drug (IND) program.

Vasiliki Anest, PhD, chief innovation officer, Keck School of MedicineAt USC, we believe in the power of collaboration to transform research into real-world solutions. Partnering with StemCardia places us at the forefront of developing innovative treatments for heart failure that could revolutionize patient care."

"This collaboration exemplifies the synergy between academic innovators and entrepreneurs, creating an innovation ecosystem that turns cutting-edge science into life-saving therapies," Anest said.

StemCardia boasts expertise from a range of sources, including researchers studying heart regeneration, esteemed physicians, and scientists who specialize in translating findings from the lab to the clinic. The company is also at the forefront of heart regeneration technologies, using bioreactors to grow large quantities of cardiac cells, as well as other advanced tools.

"Together with USC, we aim to redefine the treatment landscape for heart failure," said Carter Cliff, president of StemCardia. "This partnership will focus on leveraging USC's world-class research and manufacturing capabilities with StemCardia's broad technology platform to accelerate multiple programs to the clinic."

Source:

Keck School of Medicine of USC