LifeMatrix
A Biomimetic Approach to Cardiovascular Treatment

A cardiac surgeon, translational scientist and professor, Dr. Maximilian Emmert is acutely aware of the challenges current cardiovascular (CV) implants pose, especially for younger patients.

Today’s CV implants landscape is predominantly occupied by mechanical devices, which are prone to blood clot formation, and therefore, necessitate patients to take lifelong anticoagulation medication. Although bioprosthetic implants such as heart valves, derived from natural sources, offer an alternative, they are hindered by limited durability and a propensity for degradation. Similarly, synthetic options such as vascular grafts are susceptible to infections, thromboembolic events, and ongoing degeneration.

Another significant concern with these implants is their inability to grow, an aspect that becomes critically problematic for pediatric patients. As children grow, their implants remain static, necessitating a series of high-risk surgeries to replace devices they have outgrown.

Recognising this significant gap, Emmert and his team of scientists embarked on a mission to innovate the landscape of CV implants. Their efforts culminated in establishing LifeMatrix, a venture aimed at introducing novel biomimetic tissue technology to resolve the shortcomings of implants.

A frontrunner in regenerative medicine, LifeMatrix is a deep-tech startup spun out of the prestigious Institute for Regenerative Medicine at the University of Zurich. The team was committed to transforming its innovative research project into broadly applicable and meaningful therapy for patients in need of cardiovascular solutions.

Today, it is at the forefront of rewriting the future of cardiovascular treatment with biomimicry at the core of its technology.

“By harnessing biomimicry and advanced bioengineering, we envision a future where cardiovascular treatments align with nature’s blueprint,” says Emmert, co-founder and CEO of LifeMatrix.

Rightly so, the company’s award-winning bio-engineering platform cultivates bio-engineered prostheses that emulate the properties and functions of human tissues, which progressively grow as living tissues within the body and negate the need for recurrent surgical procedures. This not only augments the body’s receptiveness to a prosthetic but significantly elevates the quality of life for recipients.

LifeMatrix’s patients are gifted with improved health and a new lease on life, as its innovations are designed for seamless biological integration and long-term wellness.

From Humans, For Humans

LifeMatrix is charting a new course in bio-implant technology, moving from the use of animal-derived tissues to developing human matrix-based implants. This approach is deeply rooted in the essence of human biology, aiming to align with the body’s natural processes and enhance its innate healing capabilities in medical treatments.

Unlike animal-derived tissues, Lifematrix’ biomimetic tissues use human donor cells to engineer human matrices that serve as the foundation for tissue remodelling and integrate seamlessly with the patient’s cellular framework. This minimises the potential for immune rejection and prevents complications like thromboembolic events, because the body recognises and accepts these tissues as its own.

The donor cells are also expandable and can be indefinitely stored in cell banks. A single donor cell bank can yield thousands of life-saving implants, marking this approach highly scalable and a ray of hope to patients in need.

Innovative Engineering for Long-Term Implants

A proprietary and IP-protected engineering process brings the human donor cells onto biodegradable polymer scaffolds to create the LifeMatrix biomimetic implant. These scaffolds, which can be shaped in any form and size, are the starting material for the implants and give them structure and mechanical stability during implantation. Seeded onto these scaffolds, donor cells are cultured in bioreactors, where they form new human tissue using the polymeric structure as a guide.

After tissue formation, the cells are removed leaving behind a cell-free human matrix (comprising the polymer and the human extracellular matrix), resembling a biocompatible, 3D pore structure—a cost-effective solution compared to traditional autologous methods. It enables the matrix to be easily stored and transported globally as an off-the-shelf product, granting the potential for widespread use and immediate availability in clinical settings, even in emergencies.

The largest benefit of our technology platform is that it offers lifelong solutions that are durable and safe, avoiding complications for patients and significantly enhancing their quality of life

From a medical perspective, the cell-free nature of LifeMatrix’ biomimetic implants is pivotal as it ensures they are non-immunogenic. This not only maximises the potential output from a single donor but provides the flexibility to produce a wide array of biomimetic devices, including heart valves, vascular grafts, pediatric shunts, and cardiac repair materials like patches and occluders, all designed to meet diverse anatomical requirements.

The versatile LifeMatrix solution can then be surgically implanted or combined with state-of-the-art, minimally invasive transcatheter procedures. Upon implantation, the patient’s cells begin to penetrate and repopulate the implant’s porous matrix, initiating functional tissue remodeling. Using the body’s natural response, the implant transforms into new, living heart valves and blood vessels that replace damaged structures and rejuvenate them by restoring essential healthy characteristics.

Regenerative Solutions for All Ages

“The largest benefit of our technology platform is that it offers lifelong solutions that are durable and safe, avoiding complications for patients and significantly enhancing their quality of life,” says Emmert.

This regenerative capacity, coupled with the ability to grow with the patient, holds the promise of a permanent solution for young patients with cardiovascular problems. A child born with a congenital heart defect can find a corrective solution with LifeMatrix. Its one-time, adaptive treatment matures and integrates with their growing body, potentially eliminating the need for subsequent re-interventions.

In the case of adult patients, the primary concern is not growth but the longevity of the implant and its ability to resist degeneration over time. For instance, many transcatheter devices use bioprosthetic materials, which, although technologically advanced, tend to degenerate with time. This necessitates repeated visits to the doctor for additional treatments or surgeries to replace the failing implant. LifeMatrix offers a lasting solution, safeguarding patients from the risks of multiple interventions. It has the capability to tailor the implants to any desired size and shape, even extending beyond cardiovascular applications.

From Cutting-Edge Research to Real- World Impact

Today, many bio-engineering technologies are at the university-level research stage, but supported by the Wyss Zurich Translational Centre, a unique accelerator of the University and ETH Zürich, LifeMatrix has advanced beyond the experimental phase and produced a clinically-ready product platform. This first-mover advantage is not just a leap for them but for the entire industry.

It paves the way for healthcare innovations to transition from lab benches to patient bedsides, setting a new standard for rapid clinical application and potentially improving patient outcomes on a global scale.

LifeMatrix has effectively transformed promising university research into a practical, user-friendly technology for patients. This has been widely recognised, not just in the startup ecosystem but by established organisations, as well. For example, it received the Innovation Award from the European Association of Cardiothoracic Surgeons. Determined by user voting, this award signifies the potential these professionals see in LifeMatrix’s technology to address substantial challenges they encounter daily in the operating room.

It is reassuring for LifeMatrix to know there is a pronounced acknowledgement of its value from end-users, who believe the company offers a groundbreaking technology that is better than any other currently available solution.

LifeMatrix plans to initiate clinical studies within the next 12 months. These studies will lay the groundwork for potential market authorisation processes in the U.S. and Europe.

It has completed the essential validation and verification steps required for its advanced technology. This includes compliance with regulatory standards, like the ISO and GMP. With these credentials, LifeMatrix is well-positioned to transition into human pilot trials. This will pave the way for the development of its market access strategy.

Driving Innovation with Interdisciplinary Expertise

Introducing a state-of-the-art technology with the potential to reshape the field requires more than a vision; it demands expertise, teamwork and determination. This task is safe in the hands of LifeMatrix’s top-tier team.

From systematically and safely introducing technology into clinical settings to training regulators with the new technology, the team carries out the tasks with utmost dedication.

The diverse team encompasses biologists, bioengineers, chemical engineering experts, and regulatory specialists. Its marketing and business professionals understand and ensure the technology’s viability for commercialisation and patient accessibility.

Enhancing this core team’s capabilities is a world-class network of physicians and scientists from renowned institutions worldwide, including the Mayo Clinic and the German Heart Center in Berlin. This network offers invaluable support, with expertise and insights that augment the team’s drive.

Working together for a significant period has helped the team members develop a synergy crucial for the mission’s success. With their collective capabilities, LifeMatrix demonstrates the power of interdisciplinary collaboration in innovation.

At its core lies a deep-seated belief rooted in a physician’s perspective. Beyond the novelty of cutting-edge technology and the excitement of research, the company is driven by the question of whether its innovation makes a real difference in people’s lives. Its extensive R&D pipeline, backed by comprehensive validation studies, proves that it is not merely on a scientific quest but ushering in a paradigm shift. With a fervent belief in the meaningful impact of its work, LifeMatrix envisions a future where its technology fundamentally alters how cardiac patients are treated and guarantees a life-altering change.

In this emerging era of bioengineered prosthetics, LifeMatrix is not just making implants; it is engineering hope, one heartbeat at a time.