Gene therapy to restore heart muscle in chronic ischemic heart failure

Novel Gene Therapy For Chronic Ischemic Heart Failure

NIH-funded research Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah · NIH-11248841

A gene therapy that aims to fix heart muscle calcium handling is being developed for people with chronic ischemic heart failure.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUtah State Higher Education System--University of Utah NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Salt Lake City, United States)
Project IDNIH-11248841 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This project delivers a gene called cBIN1 to the heart using a harmless adeno-associated virus in a validated dog model of ischemic heart failure to repair the tiny structures that control calcium and help the heart squeeze and relax. The team will measure heart pumping, rhythm problems, tissue structure, and survival to see if the approach improves function and is safe in a large animal before moving toward human testing. This work builds on earlier rodent studies where cBIN1 therapy improved heart function and reduced arrhythmias. If successful, the data would support careful early trials in people at specialized centers.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal future candidates would be people with chronic ischemic heart failure and reduced heart pumping who remain symptomatic despite standard therapies.

Not a fit: People with non-ischemic forms of heart failure, those with only mild symptoms, or those with severe other medical problems may not benefit from this specific gene therapy.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could improve heart muscle function, reduce dangerous arrhythmias, and lower the risk of worsening or death in people with chronic ischemic heart failure.

How similar studies have performed: Similar cBIN1 gene therapy improved heart function and reduced arrhythmias in rodent models, but it has not yet been proven in large animals or humans.

Where this research is happening

Salt Lake City, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.