Celxel implants CardioCel in valve reconstructs

Allied Healthcare Group (ASX:AHZ) subsidiary Celxel has successfully implanted its cardiovascular patch, CardioCel, in animals undergoing heart valve reconstruction.

Celxel, the tissue engineering and regenerative medicine division of AHG, has completed the implantation of the patch in animals undergoing double valve leaflet reconstructions.

The study is being undertaken by paediatric cardiothoracic surgeons from the University of Melbourne.

All animals survived the open-heart surgical procedures with no significant adverse effects or immediate complications, and normal valve function was regained.

The control group of animals received the current standard of care for such heart operations.

The recipients of the patch will be monitored over the next six months to determine how well CardioCel performs as a valvular substitute in the pulmonary and mitral valves.

As well as valve function, the study will measure any accumulation of calcium in the implants, and assess immunological responses to the implanted tissue.

The results of the trial and subsequent monitoring are scheduled to be published in the third quarter.

The patch uses Celxel's ADAPT tissue engineering technology, which has already shown signs of reducing calcification in heart valves during preclinical trials. Celxel has also completed a successful phase II human study using CardioCel to repair cardiovascular deformities caused by congenital heart disease.

The company is meanwhile evaluating how to adapt the process for use in other surgical procedures, including hernia repair, pelvic floor reconstructions or orthopaedics.

Allied Healthcare (ASX:AHZ) shares grew 5.88% on Tuesday to $0.036 after the announcement was made.