Amnova Biotech is making progress with an injectable hydrogel for cardiac regeneration following a heart attack

The Argentine startup is developing a cell-free bioactive platform inspired by human birth tissue, with preclinical results in animal models showing improvements at 28 days, while CITES, the *deeptech* fund of the Sancor Seguros Group, is supporting the company with capital and R&D infrastructure. Article published in Mercado - April 10, 2026. Read it in spanish.

Amnova Biotech is developing a regenerative therapy designed to repair the heart following a myocardial infarction, based on an injectable bioactive hydrogel inspired by the properties of human birth tissue. This initiative comes at a time when current alternatives fail to reverse damage to the heart muscle and aims to shift the focus from palliative treatments toward solutions with regenerative capabilities.

Heart failure stands as one of the most significant public health challenges: it affects more than 64 million people worldwide, according to the World Heart Federation. In this context, drug therapies, angioplasties, bypass surgeries, or even transplants do not reverse the deterioration of heart tissue. The result is irreversible loss of heart function in millions of patients, with an impact on quality of life and high costs for healthcare systems.

The technological approach is based on a bioactive injectable hydrogel. It is a cell-free platform designed to mimic biological signals considered key to promoting regenerative processes. When applied directly to the damaged heart, the hydrogel aims to improve the cardiac microenvironment through three mechanisms: promoting vascularization, modulating inflammation, and stimulating tissue repair.

In terms of evidence, the project reports preclinical results. In animal models of myocardial infarction, including studies in sheep, the technology demonstrated improvements in cardiac function, a reduction in infarct size, and an increase in both new blood vessel formation and cardiac cell proliferation 28 days after treatment.

The initiative is part of the portfolio of CITES (Center for Technological, Business, and Social Innovation), the venture capital fund of the Sancor Seguros Group specializing in deep tech. The support program includes capital, infrastructure, and a network of experts for science-based startups from the earliest stages. Since its creation in 2013, CITES has invested in 23 companies, mentored more than 174 startups, and mobilized over US$24 million in private investment for the creation of new science and technology companies.

In its project description, Amnova outlines the goal of reducing cardiac damage and improving heart function through the sustained release of recombinant regenerative factors, without using cells or components of animal origin. The initiative is part of an applied science agenda that seeks to translate biomedical developments into solutions focused on tissue regeneration and functional recovery.