Osaka Keisatsu Hospital reports successful first iPS cell heart sheet transplant

A patient in her 50s has successfully undergone the world’s first treatment using ‘Reheart,’ a myocardial sheet derived from iPS cells. The surgery, performed at Osaka Keisatsu Hospital in September, involved transplanting three 4-centimeter sheets onto the heart to promote vascular regeneration and improve cardiac function.

The patient, who suffered from severe heart failure following a myocardial infarction four years ago, reported significant improvement, stating she can now breathe deeply and is preparing for discharge.

Developed by the startup QualiCEPT based on technology by Professor Yoshiki Sawa, Reheart received conditional approval for manufacturing and sale in March. To secure full approval, the treatment must be used on 75 patients within seven years. The hospital plans to consider the procedure for approximately 10 additional patients, and the developer aims to expand treatment to about 20 facilities.