Health · Medical Research · 7 hrs ago
CIRM awards $6.9 million for stem cell heart therapy research
A $6.9 million grant will fund preclinical work on an experimental heart treatment developed by USC Stem Cell scientists.
The therapy uses stem-cell-derived cardiac muscle and aims to help the heart repair damage after a severe heart attack.
It is intended for people whose heart is so badly damaged that it cannot pump blood properly, a condition called myocardial infarction with cardiogenic shock.
Current treatment can stabilize the heart but does not repair its muscle, and many patients with this condition die soon after the attack.
The grant from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine will support safety testing, manufacturing work and preparations needed to seek FDA approval for a human trial.
Human safety and feasibility trials are targeted for late 2027, with planned sites at USC and the University of Washington.
The research team also plans to use an AI tool to help identify patients who may benefit most.
The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine awarded $6.9 million to support preclinical development of a stem cell therapy designed to regenerate heart muscle after a severe heart attack.
The investigational therapy was created by scientists at USC Stem Cell and is intended for people whose heart is severely damaged after a major heart attack.
The funding will support testing, manufacturing and clinical planning needed to seek Food and Drug Administration approval for a human trial.
Clinical trials to test safety and feasibility are targeted to begin in late 2027, with sites at USC and the University of Washington.
- Who
- The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine awarded the grant to support work by USC Stem Cell scientists.
- What
- A $6.9 million grant will fund preclinical development of an investigational stem cell therapy intended to regenerate heart muscle.
- When
- The grant was reported on November 5, 2026. Human trials are targeted to launch in late 2027.
- Where
- The research is led by USC Stem Cell. Planned trial sites are USC and the University of Washington.
- Why
- The therapy aims to address severe heart damage after a major heart attack by regenerating cardiac muscle.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
News-Medical reported that CIRM had awarded a $6.9 million grant for preclinical development of the therapy.
Clinical trials to test safety and feasibility in humans are targeted to launch at USC and the University of Washington.
- Grant
- $6.9 million
- Funder
- California Institute for Regenerative Medicine
- Research team
- USC Stem Cell scientists
- Trial target
- Late 2027
- Planned trial sites
- USC and the University of Washington
What people are saying
It's a blessing and a privilege to be selected for funding like this. Now, with CIRM's support, we can just focus on the science and medicine.
With the current state of the art, we essentially slow the rate of decline
We shouldn't accept that as the status quo. I think we can do something about it.