Ex situ heart perfusion: a novel model for drug validation and translation - Summary - MDSpire

Ex situ heart perfusion: a novel model for drug validation and translation

  • By

  • John Onsy Louca

  • Magnus Althage

  • Nicole Asemota

  • Johannes Bargehr

  • Sai Bhagra

  • Dawn E. Bowles

  • Sarah Hosgood

  • Kiran Khush

  • Simon Messer

  • Marco Öchsner

  • Joao Pedro Nunes

  • Amanda Rodgers

  • Lu Wang

  • Catherine H. Wilson

  • Stephen Large

  • Sanjay Sinha

  • June 18, 2026

  • 0 min

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Objective:

To discuss the potential of ex situ heart perfusion (ESHP) for early testing of novel therapeutics in human hearts and its implications for drug discovery.

Approach:
    Key Findings:
    • 90% of drugs entering clinical trials fail, primarily due to lack of efficacy, particularly in cardiovascular medicine.
    • Current drug testing predominantly relies on cell lines and animal models, which have significant limitations.
    • ESHP provides a safe human model for testing therapeutics with minimal risk to patients.
    Interpretation:

    The potential of ESHP remains largely untapped in drug development, and its adoption could streamline the drug discovery process.

    Limitations:
    • The need for prolonged ex situ perfusion times to enable effective testing.
    • Collaboration between industry, academics, and clinicians is essential for the successful widespread adoption of this model.
    Conclusion:

    Widespread adoption of ESHP could enhance the efficiency of drug discovery pipelines by allowing earlier abandonment of ineffective therapeutics, contingent on collaboration and institutional changes.

Original Source(s)

Ex situ heart perfusion: a novel model for drug validation and translation

  • by John Onsy Louca, Magnus Althage, Nicole Asemota, Johannes Bargehr, Sai Bhagra, Dawn E. Bowles, Sarah Hosgood, Kiran Khush, Simon Messer, Marco Öchsner, Joao Pedro Nunes, Amanda Rodgers, Lu Wang, Catherine H. Wilson, Stephen Large, Sanjay Sinha

  • June 18, 2026

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