HiCM-188 Cell Therapy in Adults With Advanced Heart Failure Undergoing Heart Bypass Surgery

June 25, 2026 updated by: HELP Therapeutics Co., Ltd.

A Phase I/IIa, Open-Label, Dose Escalation Study to Evaluate the Safety and Tolerability of HiCM-188, an Allogeneic iPSC-derived Cardiomyocyte Therapy, in Adult Patients With Advanced Heart Failure

This clinical study will evaluate the safety and tolerability of HiCM-188, an investigational allogeneic induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived cardiomyocyte therapy, in adults with advanced heart failure who are undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery.

Participants who meet the study eligibility criteria will receive a single dose intramyocardial injection of HiCM-188 during CABG surgery. The study will evaluate two dose levels of HiCM-188 using an open-label dose-escalation design. Participants will be followed for up to 12 months after treatment to monitor safety and preliminary signs of clinical effect.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

This is a Phase I/IIa, open-label, dose-escalation study of HiCM-188 in adult participants with advanced heart failure. HiCM-188 is an investigational cell therapy product consisting of allogeneic human iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes intended for intramyocardial administration.

Eligible participants will receive HiCM-188 during coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery. The study uses a 3+3 dose-escalation design to evaluate two dose levels of HiCM-188: 0.5 × 10^8 cells and 1.5 × 10^8 cells. The primary objective is to evaluate the safety and tolerability of intramyocardial injection of HiCM-188. Secondary objectives include evaluation of preliminary efficacy based on cardiac function, myocardial perfusion, exercise capacity, NYHA functional classification, quality of life, and major adverse cardiac events.

Participants will be monitored during the in-hospital period after CABG surgery and HiCM-188 administration, and then followed for up to 12 months after treatment.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
12

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Phase 2
  • Phase 1

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Locations

  • United States
    • Texas
      • Houston, Texas, United States, 77030
        • The Texas Heart Institute at Baylor College of Medicine
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Emerson Perin

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Able to sign informed consent and comply with the study protocol
  • 18 to 75 years old at the time of signing informed consent
  • Advanced heart failure patients with New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III to IVa despite receiving guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT)
  • Patients with an indication for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) per 2011 ACCF/AHA Guideline meeting a Class of Recommendation (COR) of Class I or Class IIa
  • Minimum left ventricular wall thickness of ≥ 8 mm in the areas of injection, as confirmed on the screening echocardiogram (ECHO) or cardiac MRI
  • Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of 20% to 45%, as confirmed on the screening echocardiogram (ECHO) or cardiac MRI
  • Other criteria apply. Please contact the investigator for more information.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Viral myocarditis
  • Amyloidosis
  • Pericardial disorders or pericarditis
  • Left ventricular aneurysm or thrombus, except a small laminar thrombus at the site of previous myocardial infarction (MI) in a different area
  • Primary significant organic valvular heart disease, with specified dimensions
  • Untreated congenital heart disease
  • Complete atrioventricular (AV) conduction block
  • History of left ventricular assist device surgery
  • Other criteria apply. Please contact the investigator for more information.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Non-Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Sequential Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: HiCM-188 Low Dose
Participants in this arm will receive a single low dose of HiCM-188, 0.5 × 10^8 cells, administered by intramyocardial injection during coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery.
Drug: HiCM-188 Cells
HiCM-188 is an investigational allogeneic human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived cardiomyocyte therapy administered as intramyocardial injection during CABG surgery.
Experimental: HiCM-188 High Dose
Participants in this arm will receive a single high dose of HiCM-188, 1.5 × 10^8 cells, administered by intramyocardial injection during coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery.
Drug: HiCM-188 Cells
HiCM-188 is an investigational allogeneic human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived cardiomyocyte therapy administered as intramyocardial injection during CABG surgery.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Incidence of Serious Adverse Events
Time Frame: Up to 12 months post-transplant
Incidence of serious adverse events (SAEs) at 12 months post-transplant
Up to 12 months post-transplant

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change From Baseline in Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction by Cardiac MRI
Time Frame: Baseline, 6 months, and 12 months
Change from baseline in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF, %) assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Echocardiogram may be used as an alternative if cardiac MRI is not medically appropriate or per institutional practice.
Baseline, 6 months, and 12 months
Change From Baseline in Left Ventricular End-Diastolic Volume by Cardiac MRI
Time Frame: Baseline, 6 months, and 12 months
Change from baseline in left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV, mL) assessed by cardiac MRI. Echocardiogram may be used as an alternative if cardiac MRI is not medically appropriate or per institutional practice.
Baseline, 6 months, and 12 months
Change From Baseline in Left Ventricular End-Systolic Volume by Cardiac MRI
Time Frame: Baseline, 6 months, and 12 months
Change from baseline in left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV, mL) assessed by cardiac MRI. Echocardiogram may be used as an alternative if cardiac MRI is not medically appropriate or per institutional practice.
Baseline, 6 months, and 12 months
Change From Baseline in Infarct Size by Cardiac MRI
Time Frame: Baseline, 6 months, and 12 months
Change from baseline in myocardial infarct size assessed by cardiac MRI.
Baseline, 6 months, and 12 months
Change From Baseline in Myocardial Tissue Perfusion by PET/CT or SPECT
Time Frame: Baseline, 6 months, and 12 months
Change from baseline in myocardial tissue perfusion assessed by positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) or single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT).
Baseline, 6 months, and 12 months
Incidence of Major Adverse Cardiac Events
Time Frame: Up to 12 months post-transplant
Incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) during the study follow-up period.
Up to 12 months post-transplant
Change From Baseline in 6-Minute Walk Distance
Time Frame: Baseline, 6 months, and 12 months
Change from baseline in exercise capacity as assessed by the 6-minute walk distance (6MWD). The 6-Minute Walk Distance is measured as the distance walked in 6 minutes, with longer distances reflecting better functional exercise capacity.
Baseline, 6 months, and 12 months
Change From Baseline in New York Heart Association Functional Classification
Time Frame: Baseline, 6 months, and 12 months
Change from baseline in New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classification. The New York Heart Association Functional Classification ranges from Class I to Class IV, with higher classes reflecting more severe limitation of physical activity and worse heart failure symptoms.
Baseline, 6 months, and 12 months
Change From Baseline in Minnesota Living With Heart Failure Questionnaire Score
Time Frame: Baseline, 6 months, and 12 months
Change from baseline in quality of life as measured by the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ). The Minnesota Living With Heart Failure Questionnaire score ranges from 0 to 105, with higher scores reflecting worse heart failure-related quality of life.
Baseline, 6 months, and 12 months

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
HELP Therapeutics Co., Ltd.

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Estimated)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
September 1, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
May 1, 2028

Study Completion (Estimated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
May 1, 2028

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
June 9, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
June 9, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
June 12, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
June 29, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
June 25, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
June 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • HICM188H1101

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

UNDECIDED

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

Yes

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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