Shanghai, September 18, 2024 – A team led by Professor Zhao Qiang from the Department of Cardiac Surgery at Ruijin Hospital, affiliated with Shanghai Jiao Tong University, has successfully administered the world’s first dose of a circular RNA (circRNA) drug, HM2002 Injection, via epicardial myocardial injection in a patient with ischemic heart failure undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). This pioneering achievement marks the official initiation of circular RNA-based drugs in First-in-Human clinical trials, representing a major milestone in the field of circRNA drug research and development.

On September 24, 2024, the patient was transferred to a general ward and is receiving level II nursing care. Vital signs and all clinical indicators remain stable. As of the date of this report, no drug-related adverse events have been reported.

The first-in-human study of the circular RNA drug HM2002 Injection, an investigator-initiated exploratory clinical trial (IIT) led by Professor Zhao Qiang, aims to preliminarily assess the feasibility and safety of administering HM2002 during CABG surgery in patients with ischemic heart failure, with a focus on evaluating the drug’s therapeutic response and safety data.

Professor Zhao Qiang stated, 'Successfully administering the first patient dose marks a significant milestone in our research. Circular RNA drugs hold great potential for the treatment of ischemic heart disease. We look forward to further validating the safety and efficacy of HM2002 Injection in upcoming clinical trials and hope this therapy brings new treatment options to patients suffering from ischemic heart disease.'"

About HM2002 Injection

HM2002 Injection is an innovative circular RNA (circRNA) drug developed by Shanghai CirCode Biomed Co., Ltd. Preclinical studies have shown that HM2002 Injection promotes angiogenesis, reduces infarct size and fibrosis, and significantly improves cardiac function in animal models of myocardial infarction. These promising findings suggest that HM2002 Injection could offer a new therapeutic option for treating ischemic heart disease.