BioCardia, CART-Tech Partner on Heart3D Fusion Imaging for Interventional Cardiology

BioCardia and CART-Tech have partnered to develop and commercialize Heart3D Fusion Imaging for interventional cardiology. The technology enhances 2D x-ray images with pre-procedure 3D anatomical heart models, created from MRI and CT scans, to improve cardiac biotherapeutic delivery and biopsy procedures. The partnership aims to bring this innovative imaging technology to the market.

BioCardia, Inc. [Nasdaq: BCDA] and CART-Tech, B.V. have entered into an exclusive development and commercialization agreement to create Heart3D™ Fusion Imaging, a novel technology aimed at enhancing 2D x-ray images used in cardiac biotherapeutic delivery and biopsy procedures. The partnership leverages BioCardia’s expertise in cellular and cell-derived therapeutics and CART-Tech’s platform technology for augmented fluoroscopy during cardiac interventions.

Heart3D Fusion Imaging combines pre-procedure three-dimensional anatomical heart models, derived from gold standard MRI and CT images, with real-time 2D X-ray images. This fusion is expected to improve the accuracy and efficiency of cardiac biotherapeutic interventions and biopsies. The system is initially being developed for research purposes and will later be considered for clinical practice.

Peter Altman, CEO of BioCardia, stated, “Heart3D Fusion Imaging has the potential to significantly enhance the procedural experience for interventional cardiologists, improve therapeutic strategies for sponsors, and most importantly, benefit patients.” He added that the partnership could generate substantial revenue, with a single approved biologic therapy potentially yielding $100 million annually from automated cloud-based image post-processing and live procedural guidance services.

Johan Maas, CEO of CART-Tech, emphasized the collaboration’s potential to advance cell, gene, and protein-based therapies to the heart. “The Heart3D Fusion Imaging product offering has the potential to significantly enhance procedural planning and real-time image precision for the delivery of biologic agents,” he said.

Under the agreement, BioCardia will have exclusive distribution rights for biotherapeutic delivery worldwide and for cardiac biopsy in the United States. CART-Tech retains distribution rights for other markets. The partnership also involves licensing intellectual property between the two companies for the fields of biotherapeutic intervention and cardiac resynchronization therapy.

The development of Heart3D Fusion Imaging is currently in the investigational phase and is not yet CE-marked or FDA approved. The technology is designed to improve the precision of biotherapeutic delivery and biopsy procedures, which could have significant implications for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

References:
[1] https://www.morningstar.com/news/globe-newswire/9511550/biocardia-and-cart-tech-announce-exclusive-partnership-to-develop-and-commercialize-heart3d-fusion-imaging-for-interventional-cardiology
[2] https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5354/12/8/872