Anginera™, three-dimensional fibroblast culture: Clinical path to treating cardiac ischemia

Anginera is an epicardial patch developed on the basis of Dermagraft, another FDA-approved product. The underlying principle is that the fibroblasts are cells which can attach and stretch across spaces thus creating a human tissue. Retained in a natural matrix, fibroblasts can deliver grow factors and cytokines [1] which can promote angiogenesis and blood vessel maturation (Fig. 1). Indeed, it has been observed that, following the positioning of the patch on the injured cardiac tissue, new cardiac vascularisation is formed, with improved perfusion and indications of improvement of ventricular wall motion.