Cardium Therapeutics, Inc. Release: Studies Supported by National Institutes of Health (NIH) to Confirm Potential of Corgentin to Preserve Cardiac Function Following Heart Attack

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Cardium Therapeutics (AMEX:CXM) and its subsidiary the Tissue Repair Company announced the initiation of preclinical studies supported by an NIH Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant, which are designed to further establish the therapeutic potential of Corgentin™ (Ad5IGF-1) to preserve heart tissue and cardiac function following a heart attack (acute myocardial infarction). Corgentin is a DNA therapeutic based on the localized and sustained cardiac production of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) following a single intracoronary administration in an acute care setting immediately after percutaneous coronary intervention in heart attack patients. Corgentin is designed to enhance myocardial healing in and around the infarct zone when used as an adjunct to existing pharmacologic and interventional therapies. The study will also evaluate the comparative ability of fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) to protect heart tissue. The objective of this treatment approach is focused on enhancing myocardial repair and restoration of heart cells that have been injured as a result of a heart attack.