About

Unprecedented hope

Cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of premature death around the world, is on the rise. Traditional medical therapies are not able to fully address the burden of heart disease, and the shortage of organs made available for transplantation remains a key barrier for offering solutions to millions of patients across the globe.

Through the visionary leadership and generous philanthropy of Russell and Kathy Van Cleve, unprecedented hope is beginning to translate into future healing options for those afflicted by heart disease.

By harnessing the body's natural ability to heal, regenerative medicine is addressing the unmet needs of patients suffering from chronic and complex conditions who often have no other viable options.

Broad impact

The Mayo Clinic Center for Regenerative Biotherapeutics, previously called the Center for Regenerative Medicine, was established by the Mayo Clinic Board of Governors as a top strategic priority. The center is charged with discovering, developing and deploying new regenerative products and services as the most trusted destination for regenerative care.

The Mayo Clinic Van Cleve Cardiac Regenerative Medicine Program is integral to the Center for Regenerative Biotherapeutics' efforts. With the goal of advancing stem cell therapies, cell-free regeneration and tissue engineering, the program is accelerating the discovery, translation and application of innovative regenerative products for heart disease.

Importantly, results from this work will not only make an impact in cardiovascular health, but also advance novel regenerative solutions across medical and surgical specialties to address vast unmet patient needs.

Strategic focus

Through a shared vision with Russell and Kathy Van Cleve, the Mayo Clinic Van Cleve Cardiac Regenerative Medicine Program has the goal of creating novel, affordable and accessible cardiac regenerative therapies to restore the health of patients with heart disease.

After meeting the highest standards of quality control and best manufacturing practices, products undergo rigorous clinical trials testing to ensure their safe translation to clinical practice. Finally, research findings are applied to patient care in areas such as surgery, radiology, laboratory medicine and more, fostering Mayo Clinic's regenerative care model of not only reversing chronic disease but also restoring health to individuals and their communities.

Vision

Contemporary regenerative medicine is underpinned by the recognition that full regeneration ultimately restores the human as a whole. Fostering the Mayo Clinic regenerative care model, the Mayo Clinic Van Cleve Cardiac Regenerative Medicine Program is advancing not only the restoration of organ health but the rebuilding of individuals in their communities.

Mission

The mission of the Mayo Clinic Van Cleve Cardiac Regenerative Medicine Program is to position Mayo Clinic as the premier regenerative medicine destination, leading in the discovery of novel cell-therapy platforms that address cardiac pathologies, advancing off-the-shelf cell-free therapies from the bench toward clinical cardiovascular practice, and establishing cardiac tissue engineering — thereby transforming the reach of modern regenerative care.

Research pillars

Research in the Mayo Clinic Van Cleve Cardiac Regenerative Medicine Program is based on three pillars of investigative focus:

  • Cellular therapies
  • Acellular therapies
  • Tissue engineering

Together, these three research pillars support discovery, translation and application in the Center for Regenerative Biotherapeutics' various focus areas — not only cardiac regeneration. In this way, basic science research at Mayo Clinic and with industry partners can be developed into novel regenerative medicine products that give patients more accessible, affordable options in their care.

Translating laboratory research into regenerative cardiac care

Michael S. Sabbah, M.D., explains how the Mayo Clinic Van Cleve Cardiac Regenerative Medicine Program gives Mayo researchers the flexibility to move their research and ideas forward. Dr. Sabbah focuses on translating discovery science into clinical trials, ultimately applying it to care for patients with cardiovascular disease at Mayo Clinic and around the world.