HeartBeat.bio has entered into a research collaboration with Boehringer Ingelheim to develop gene therapy-based treatments for genetic cardiomyopathies. The partnership combines Boehringer Ingelheim’s expertise in gene therapy drug development with HeartBeat.bio’s proprietary Cardioid Drug Discovery Platform, aiming to advance innovative therapies for inherited heart muscle diseases.
The partnership addresses a high unmet need in cardiovascular health. Genetic cardiomyopathies - including hypertrophic, dilated, and arrhythmogenic forms - are a leading cause of heart failure and sudden cardiac death, particularly among younger individuals. Across major pharmaceutical markets (US, EU5 (Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom), Japan), approximately one million people are affected, many of whom face limited treatment options and a high burden of disease.
“Inherited heart diseases often strike early and progress silently. By modeling genetic cardiomyopathies in human cardiac organoids, we can screen and profile potential therapies with unprecedented precision and speed,” said Michael Krebs, CEO of HeartBeat.bio. “This collaboration with Boehringer Ingelheim marks an important step towards bringing new, transformative treatments to patients with inherited heart conditions.”
HeartBeat.bio’s Cardioid Drug Discovery Platform uses chamber-like cardiac organoids derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to replicate key features of inherited heart diseases. The platform has demonstrated translational relevance in pilot studies, including its applicability for adeno-associated virus (AAV) pharmacological experiments.
This collaboration builds on a long-standing relationship between the two companies. Boehringer Ingelheim has previously contributed to the development of the Cardioid platform by providing pharmaceutical R&D expertise, shaping disease-relevant screening assays, and supplying benchmark compounds for validation.
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