MiMedx (NSDQ:MDXG) today announced the publication of a study of its AmnioFix and EpiFix allografts in treating myocardial infarction patients, touting enhanced vascularization and recruitment of autologous stem cells within infarcted cardiac tissue.
Data from the study was published in the Journal of Cardiology & Cardiovascular Therapy, the Marietta, Ga.-based company said.
“There is a critical need for novel and innovative therapies for effective treatments following myocardial infarction and to promote regeneration of cardiac tissues. At present, total heart transplants and left ventricular assist devices are the primary forms of treatment and these treatments have significant limitations and substantial costs. The ability of dHACM to attenuate damage or promote cardiac repair is worthy of very serious consideration in the cardiac care community. This scientific study is the first of its kind and the first published report confirming that dHACM may have positive effects in protecting cardiac tissue or promoting repair following acute myocardial infarction or heart attack,” Chair & CEO Parker Petit said in prepared remarks.
The study aimed to examine the use of MiMedx’s AmnioFix and EpiFix dehydrated human amnion/chorion membrane allografts in treating patients who have had acute myocardial infarctions, and explore the patches ability to prevent cardiac damage and promote healing.
Treatment of infarcted cardiac tissue with the patches resulted in reduced fibrotic scarring size after 8 weeks compared to controls, as well as an increased number of stem cells and cardiac progenitor cells.
Data also indicated enhanced cardiac cell survival with greater cell proliferation and decreased cell death, as well as improved angiogenesis with improved vascularization in the infarcted tissue.
“Treatment with dHACM in this animal model improved cardiac repair following myocardial infarction through multiple paracrine effects, including through improved cell survival, enhanced vascularization, and recruitment of autologous stem cells within the infarcted cardiac tissue. Follow up studies will be conducted to include demonstrating improvement of important outcomes such as left ventricular dimensions, contractility and ejection volume,” chief scientific officer Thomas Koob said in a press release.
Last month, MiMedx said it won coverage from Aetna Inc. for its EpiFix allograft. The insurance company classified EpiFix as “medically necessary” for the treatment of partial and full-thickness neuropathic diabetic foot ulcers when used in combination with standard diabetic ulcer care.
The non-viable cellular amniotic membrane allograft helps to regenerate soft tissue by delivering extracellular matris proteins, growth factors and other proteins found in amniotic tissue, according to MiMedx.
