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NEW ORLEANS, November 9, 2008 – Celladon Corporation announced today results from the first nine patients treated with MYDICAR®, a genetically-targeted enzyme replacement therapy for advanced heart failure, showing the product was safe and demonstrating improvement across a number of key parameters. Phase 1 data from the “Calcium Up-Regulation by Percutaneous Administration of Gene Therapy in Cardiac Disease (CUPID Trial), a First-in-Human Phase 1/2 Clinical Trial” were presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2008.
This first phase of the multi-center trial was designed to investigate safety and biological effects of restoring SERCA2a enzyme activity in heart muscle cells. The enzyme levels are decreased in late stages of heart failure, and extensive research shows loss of SERCA2a levels represents a common pathway resulting in a defect in the ability of the heart to contract properly. Replacing the enzyme may restore function and reverse heart failure.