Healthcare Industry News: Extracellular Matrix
News Release - November 10, 2008
CorMatrix Announces Pre-Clinical Data Suggesting Next Generation ECM Technology(TM) Can Improve Cardiac Function
Data presented at American Heart Association Annual Scientific SessionsNEW ORLEANS, Nov. 10 -- (Healthcare Sales & Marketing Network) -- CorMatrix Cardiovascular, Inc., an Atlanta-based company dedicated to developing and delivering unique Extracellular Matrix (ECM(TM)) biomaterial devices that harness the body's innate ability to repair damaged cardiovascular tissue, presented data today demonstrating that an injection of an emulsified version of their ECM Technology(TM) improved cardiac function.
The study tested the hypothesis that an injection of ECM emulsion into infarcted myocardium would promote wound healing and angiogenesis by naturally recruiting c-kit positive cells. The study involved rats that were subjected to 45 minutes of coronary occlusion, followed by three, seven, 21 and 42 days of reperfusion with and without the ECM emulsion injection, respectively.
"Reinforcing our earlier findings, the subjects that received the emulsified ECM injection over an extended period showed significant reversal of cardiac damage and improvement in overall function following the induced occlusion," said Robert G. Matheny, M.D., Chief Scientific Officer. "The improved heart function we observed at 42 days is consistent with prior data and further demonstrates the technology's promise and sustainability," added Matheny.
At seven days post reperfusion, the population of c-kit positive cells within the emulsion area increased significantly compared to the control (32+/-0.6 vs. 15+/-3/1000 nuclei) and myofibroblasts accumulated in the emulsion region to a significant extent (59+/-8 vs. 30+/-3/HPF). Angiogenesis in the emulsion area was significantly enhanced, evidenced by increased density value of a-SMA-positive vessels (70+/-10 vs. 20+/-4/HPF) and vWF-positive vessels (95+/-14 vs. 34+/-8/HPF). At 42 days post reperfusion, echocardiography showed improvements in end-systolic volume (0.3+/-0.1 vs. 0.6+/-0.3 ml), fractional shortening (33+/-5 vs. 24+/-6) and ejection fraction (67+/-6 vs. 53+/-10) in the emulsion group. The wall thickness of the infarcted middle anterior septum was also significantly greater in the emulsion group (0.19+/-0.02 vs. 0.15+/-0.02 cm).
"We are committed to conducting ongoing pre-clinical research as we help to further increase physicians' awareness and understanding of the significant role that Extracellular Matrix materials can have in cardiac applications," commented Beecher Lewis, President and Chief Operating Officer of CorMatrix Cardiovascular. "We will continue pre-clinical trials with our next generation ECM Technology(TM) product and look forward to eventually moving to clinical trials to determine its ability to ultimately reverse the effects of heart failure in humans."
The use of Extracellular Matrix technology in non-cardiovascular applications has established a significant foothold in soft tissue repair, wound management and orthopedic applications. Since the launch of CorMatrix's ECM for Pericardial Closure, the technology has been used at more than 220 hospitals across the U.S. and has been implanted in more than 9,000 cardiac procedures.
"We have received a tremendous response from the clinical community for our products for pericardial closure and for cardiac tissue repair," said Lewis. "With our next generation ECM Technology, we are pleased to be leading the way toward another important advancement for cardiac surgeons and their patients."
About CorMatrix ECM Technology(TM)
CorMatrix Cardiovascular holds an exclusive license from Purdue University to research, develop, manufacture and market naturally occurring ECM products for cardiovascular applications. The company currently has U.S. FDA clearance and European approval with a CE Mark to market its ECM Technology as an implant for pericardial closure, FDA clearance in the U.S. for cardiac tissue repair, and is conducting pre-clinical studies on a number of cardiovascular applications including an emulsified, injectible form of its ECM Technology as a potential treatment for heart failure.
About CorMatrix Cardiovascular, Inc.
CorMatrix Cardiovascular, a privately held company based in Atlanta, Georgia, is dedicated to developing and delivering innovative biomaterial devices that harness the body's own innate ability to regenerate damaged heart tissue. For more information visit http://www.cormatrix.com.
Source: CorMatrix Cardiovascular
Issuer of this News Release is solely responsible for its
content.
Please address inquiries directly to the issuing company.
