Mitochondria-rich particles to boost heart cell energy

Mitochondria-rich microvesicles for restoration of intracellular bioenergetics

['FUNDING_R01'] · STANFORD UNIVERSITY · NIH-11324295

This project tests tiny, mitochondria-rich packets from stem-cell-derived heart cells to help heart muscle cells make more energy for people with heart failure.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorSTANFORD UNIVERSITY (nih funded)
Locations1 site (STANFORD, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11324295 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

Researchers are using heart cells made from induced pluripotent stem cells that release mitochondria-rich extracellular vesicles (M-EVs). In laboratory and preclinical work, these M-EVs can deliver mitochondria to injured heart cells and increase their ATP production. The team aims to turn this mitochondrial transfer into a therapy to repair injured heart muscle and address the energy imbalance seen in heart failure and cardiomyopathies. The research is being conducted at Stanford and could guide future clinical trials if results remain promising.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: People with heart failure or cardiomyopathy (including hypertrophic, dilated, or ischemic types) would be the most likely candidates for future therapies based on this work.

Not a fit: People without heart muscle disease or those seeking immediate, already approved treatments are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this early-stage research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could restore energy production in failing heart cells and potentially improve symptoms and outcomes for people with heart failure.

How similar studies have performed: Stem-cell-derived cell therapies and their secreted factors have shown promise in animal studies, but using mitochondria-rich vesicles is a novel, early-stage approach with limited human data.

Where this research is happening

STANFORD, 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.