Improving Heart Attack Recovery with an Injectable Material

Infusible Extracellular Matrix for Treating Myocardial Infarction

['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO · NIH-11088290

This project aims to develop a new injectable material to help the heart heal and recover after a heart attack.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorUNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO (nih funded)
Locations1 site (LA JOLLA, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11088290 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

Heart failure after a heart attack is a serious concern, and existing cell therapies have shown limited success. This project explores a new approach using an injectable material, called a myocardial matrix hydrogel, which comes from decellularized heart tissue. This material is designed to be delivered minimally invasively, like through a catheter, and then forms a scaffold in the heart. It works by encouraging the body's own immune and other cells to come in and help repair the damaged heart tissue, aiming for better recovery.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Patients who have experienced a heart attack, particularly those in the subacute or chronic phases, might be ideal candidates for future applications of this therapy.

Not a fit: Patients in the immediate aftermath of an acute heart attack may not be suitable for this specific approach due to safety considerations.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this new therapy could offer a more effective and less complicated way to help hearts heal after a heart attack, potentially reducing the risk of heart failure.

How similar studies have performed: The initial work with this material has already led to a successful Phase I clinical trial in post-MI patients, indicating promising early results.

Where this research is happening

LA JOLLA, 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.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.