CHICAGO and ATLANTA, April 1, 2008 /PRNewswire/ -- CorMatrix Cardiovascular, Inc., an Atlanta-based company dedicated to developing and delivering unique extracellular matrix (ECM(TM)) biomaterial technologies that harness the body’s innate ability to repair damaged cardiovascular tissue, presented data on its ECM Technology(TM) this week at the annual American College of Cardiology (ACC) Scientific Sessions in Chicago. Data demonstrated that ECM Technology(TM), in the form of an injectable emulsion, enhanced angiogenesis, increased recruitment of C-kit positive progenitor stem cells, and improved cardiac function in a rat model.
The study, conducted at Emory University, used rats that were subjected to 45 minutes of coronary occlusion, followed by an injection of either the ECM Technology emulsion or a saline control into the affected myocardium and examined at three, seven, 21 and 42 days.
“The animals that received injections of the ECM Technology in an emulsified version demonstrated a significant reversal of cardiac damage and sustained improvements in ejection fraction and overall cardiac function,” said Robert Matheny, M.D., Chief Scientific Officer, CorMatrix Cardiovascular, who co-authored the study. “We are very encouraged by this data and intend to continue to analyze the unique remodeling characteristics of the ECM material.”
Study Results
At 42 days post-injection, the population of C-kit positive progenitor stem cells in the ECM emulsion area and adjacent borders increased a statistically significant amount relative to the control group, which received saline injections (32 +/- 0.6 vs. 15 +/- 3.0 per 1000 nuclei). Enhanced angiogenesis in the ECM Technology emulsion area was also statistically significant. In addition, echocardiography showed statistical improvements in end-systolic volume (0.3 +/- 0.1 vs. 0.6 +/- 0.3 ml), fractional shortening (33 +/- 5 vs. 24 +/- 6%) and ejection fraction (67 +/- 6 vs. 53 +/- 10%). The wall thickness of the infarcted middle anterior septum in the injected group was also statistically greater than that in the control (0.19 +/- 0.02 vs. 0.15 +/- 0.02cm).
“This data demonstrates the unique potential of the extracellular matrix material in cardiac applications,” said Beecher Lewis, President and COO of CorMatrix. “We are very excited about the results of this study and will continue to evaluate the broad potential utility of our patented ECM Technology.”
Currently, the Company’s platform ECM Technology is U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared and in use for pericardial closure. The Company is researching a variety of cardiovascular applications using the patented ECM Technology.
About Extracellular Matrix Biomaterial
The unique properties of extracellular matrix biomaterials were discovered at Purdue University. The decellularized matrix material serves as a scaffold to allow adjacent tissues to deliver cells and nutrients to the matrix, which then differentiate into tissue-specific cells. The ECM material is gradually replaced, as the patient’s own body reinforces and rebuilds the weakened site. During the repair, the matrix is rapidly degraded and resorbed, leaving remodeled functional tissue where scar tissue or injured tissue would normally be expected.
The use of extracellular matrix materials in non-cardiovascular applications has established a significant foothold in soft tissue repair, wound management and orthopedic applications. The safety of extracellular matrices has been well established in a number of different clinical applications. The extracellular matrix has been studied extensively, with more than 500 published papers. Since 1999, an estimated 500,000 patients worldwide have received an extracellular matrix implant.
About CorMatrix ECM Technology(TM)
CorMatrix Cardiovascular holds an exclusive license from Purdue University to research, develop, manufacture and market naturally occurring extracellular matrix products for cardiovascular applications. CorMatrix is currently conducting a number of preclinical studies utilizing the ECM Technology for a variety of cardiovascular applications. The company has U.S. and European approval to market the CorMatrix ECM Technology(TM) as an implant for pericardial closure.
About CorMatrix Cardiovascular, Inc.
CorMatrix Cardiovascular, a privately held company based in Atlanta, Georgia, is dedicated to developing and delivering innovative biomaterial devices that harness the body’s innate ability to repair damaged cardiovascular structures. For more information visit http://www.cormatrix.com.
CONTACT: Aimee Corso of WeissComm Partners, +1-310-780-2661,
acorso@wcpglobal.com, for CorMatrix Cardiovascular, Inc.
Web site: http://www.cormatrix.com/
