New gene therapy techniques to stop dangerous heart rhythms
Official title: Novel Gene Therapy, Techniques, and Devices to Prevent Ventricular Tachycardia
Funded at Rithim Biologics, INC. · NIH-10822751 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new way to use gene therapy to help prevent dangerous heart rhythms after a heart attack, using a less invasive method that delivers genes directly to the heart without needing open-heart surgery, which could be great news for patients dealing with heart issues.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rithim Biologics, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Woodbine, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $317,285 |
| NIH project number | 1R44HL172541-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10822751 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have experienced a myocardial infarction and are at risk for developing ventricular tachycardia.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not had a heart attack or do not have a history of ventricular arrhythmias may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing innovative gene therapy techniques to prevent ventricular tachycardia, a life-threatening heart rhythm that can occur after a heart attack. The approach involves using adeno-associated virus vectors to deliver genes directly to the heart tissue, aiming to normalize the electrical activity in areas affected by scar tissue from previous heart damage. Patients may benefit from a catheter-based method that allows for gene delivery without the need for open-heart surgery, making the procedure less invasive. The research will conduct initial experiments to finalize the development of this gene delivery system.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the risk of life-threatening heart rhythms in patients who have suffered heart attacks.
How similar studies have gone: While gene therapy for heart conditions is an emerging field, this specific approach using epicardial gene painting is novel and has not been extensively tested in human subjects.
Where this research is happening
-
Rithim Biologics, INC.
Woodbine, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Anderson, Ronald Lee — Rithim Biologics, INC.
- Study coordinator: Anderson, Ronald Lee
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Map heart tissue to guide VT ablation with AI help
A patient-oriented project aims to use AI-based mapping to better identify abnormal heart tissue responsible for ventricular tachycardia and guide safer, faster ablation.
-
Proton SBRT for refractory ventricular tachycardia with real-time 3D/4D imaging
A patient-facing study exploring a proton-based, noninvasive radiation therapy to treat stubborn VT using advanced 3D and 4D imaging to target the heart safely.
-
Venous ethanol ablation to treat ischemic VT (VE-VT)
A new treatment approach uses ethanol delivered through heart veins to help stop dangerous heart rhythms in patients with previous heart damage.
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Novel gene therapy tools to prevent dangerous heart rhythms
A small grant supports testing gene-therapy methods to stop ventricular tachycardia after a heart attack, with the goal of helping people at risk of sudden heart rhythm problems.
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Radiation-guided ablation for ventricular tachycardia
This project tests a noninvasive radiation approach to ablate heart tissue in people with dangerous ventricular tachycardia to reduce the need for invasive procedures.
-
Low-Field MRI–Guided Robotic Catheter System for VT Ablation
A research project is testing a new low-field MRI–guided robotic catheter to improve treatment of ventricular tachycardia for patients with abnormal heart structure.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.