Stem cells for heart failure

Mesoblast (ASX: MSB) will soon launch phase II trials into congestive heart failure, the company said.

The trials will be conducted by its US-based sister company Angioblast Systems.

The US FDA recently granted the companies permission to perform clinical trials using its adult stem cell-based treatment.

45 clients suffering from congestive heart failure will be given allogeneic stem cells, while 15 will be given a placebo.

The stem cells will be injected directly into the patients' hearts through a cardiac catheter.

In pilot trials conducted in Australia, a similar injection method using the patients' own cells was shown to improve heart muscle function and reduce the risk of heart failure. Mesoblast said using healthy stem cells will improve the results even further.