Pulse my heart

Despite the potential for VEGF-A to limit or even repair post-myocardial infarction heart damage, the molecule has stumbled in the clinic because of issues with its delivery and therapeutic window. Now, a multinational team thinks it has solved these problems by using synthetic RNA.¹ The compound is partnered with Moderna Therapeutics Inc. and AstraZeneca plc.

Myocardial infarction (MI) patients typically receive b-blockers and blood thinners to protect the heart from a second infarct and restore blood flow. Some also receive angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers to limit damage to the heart...