Galmed Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (NASDAQ: GLMD) and Tissue Dynamics Ltd. announced results from a preclinical study that identified a metabolic pathway involved in cardiac fibrosis and heart failure progression. The research used human cardiac organoid models to evaluate a combination of Aramchol Meglumine and a selective PPARα agonist.

The study demonstrated that the drug combination reduced fibrotic burden by approximately four-fold in inflammatory human cardiac organoids while preserving cardiac muscle density and metabolic function. Tissue Dynamics used its robotic DynamiX platform and human cardiac organoid models to identify what the companies describe as a human-specific metabolic mechanism.

The research focused on cardiac fibrosis, a condition characterized by pathological scarring of heart muscle that leads to tissue stiffening and impaired heart function. According to the companies, no current therapies directly reverse established cardiac fibrosis.

Tissue Dynamics developed human cardiac organoid models designed to capture multiple chambers, vascular structures, and pacemaker cells. The company's platform can test more than 20,000 organoids simultaneously and uses machine-learning technology to analyze results.

The companies filed a patent application based on the findings and are preparing for potential IND-enabling activities. Galmed focuses on developing Aramchol for liver disease and is expanding into cardiometabolic indications and oncological applications beyond NASH and fibrosis.

Tissue Dynamics operates as a contract research organization that uses human organoid systems and artificial intelligence to provide preclinical data for pharmaceutical partners. The collaboration aims to support Galmed's research and development strategy for cardiometabolic and fibrotic diseases.