Cardio3 BioSciences, a leading Belgian biotechnology company specialising in cell-based therapies for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, announced today promising results in a pre-clinical study of its proprietary C-Cath(R) catheter which is under development to administer a range of bio-therapeutics to the heart. C-Cath is designed to take into account organ tissue structure and properties to maximize patients' safety, improve performance and increase user confidence during the injection procedure.
The study was a head-to-head comparison between the current 'gold standard' injection catheter and C-Cath in injecting mesenchymal stem cells originating from bone marrow in an animal model widely used in cardiology studies. The study was carried out by a renowned clinical research organization in Canada.
The study results indicated a close to three fold increase in retention of cells within the heart muscle when using C-Cath. Within a clinical setting, an increased retention rate would allow the reduction of the administered dose while increasing the potency of the product, thereby increasing efficacy and reducing side effects. The cost of therapy could also be reduced through lower required doses. C-Cath's performance is based on its unique needle design which aims at increasing patient's safety, improving penetration and retention in the target tissue and enhancing fluid dynamics.
Dr Christian Homsy, CEO of Cardio3 BioSciences said: "While the key focus for Cardio3 BioSciences remains our unique stem cell treatment for heart failure, C-Cure, which is in clinical trials, today's announcement marks an important new step for the company towards its broader goal of becoming a leader in regenerative therapies for the treatment of heart diseases."