Heart Cells Foundation

"Stem cell therapy is at an early and exciting
stage of development and I need your help
to bring it to the UK"
Ian Rosenberg, Founder, Heart Cells Foundation

How we began
In 2003 Ian Rosenberg, a heart disease sufferer, was given only two months to live. He was lucky enough to receive stem cell therapy in Germany, which resulted in a dramatic improvement in his symptoms. Disturbed by the lack of similar treatment in the UK, the 68-year-old Mr Rosenberg set out to raise funds for clinical trials, so that people in this country would not have to go abroad. He created the Heart Cells Foundation, and worked tirelessly until he sadly passed away in August 2006.

Our aims

To conduct high quality clinical trials of adult stem cell therapy to treat patients with heart disease
To ensure that the knowledge we gain from our trials are made available to the research community to help sufferers not only of heart disease but also with other conditions
To ensure that any advances made in cell therapy that can benefit patients care are made available as quickly and cost effectively as possible

Our NHS partners
Barts and The London NHS Trust is leading the research and providing the medical expertise. Spread across St Bartholomew's, The London Chest and The Royal London hospitals, it is at the forefront of research into adult stem cell treatment for a variety of diseases. The Trust has, for example, recently created a unit that can process adult stem cells for the treatment of cancer.

Achieving our aims

Our initial 5 year programme has now expanded and originally consisted of 3 phases and 3 stages:

The 3 phases were to launch the 3 clinical trials over the first 5 year period to test adult stem cell therapy in patients with 3 different heart conditions - heart failure, acute heart attacks and dilated cardiomyopathy (a weak heart cause unknown).

The 3 stages of our research are now:

Stage 1: Complete initial clinical trials (phases 1-3 listed above)
Stage 2: Validate the results of these studies and disseminate the information to patients and health care providers
Stage 3: Develop a widely available stem cell therapy for patients with heart disease based on the results of the 3 clinical trials

Achievements

We are conducting 3 of the largest clinical trials of adult stem cell therapy in the world
Our clinical trials started 5 years ago - and still remain state-of-the-art

We have now treated over 150 patients in our clinical trials
Our research in this area has defined us as opinion leaders in the UK and Europe

Meet the trustees

Jenifer Rosenberg OBE
Chair

Founder and Managing Director of J&J Fashions. Britain's largest privately owned ladies clothing manufacturer between 1974-1992. Veuve Clicquot Business Woman of the year 1986. Member of various governing bodies and involved in many charities.

Adrian Magnus

Partner at City law firm Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP, specialising entirely in competition law, although also advised on commercial contracts for many years. His clients include leading companies, the commercial arm of a well known charity and public sector organisations. His previous experience includes membership of the Finance Committee of Hertsmere Jewish Primary School. Trustee of The Camperdown Trust which supports the Jewish Lads and Girls Brigade.

Prof Anthony Mathur

Professor of cardiology at Barts and The London NHS Trust. His time is equally divided between research into cardiovascular disease and treating patients. Head of Stem Cell Research Programme.

Sir Bernard Rix

Currently Lord Justice of Appeal. Queen's Counsel since 1981. Appointed High Court Judge in 1993. Member and director of various cultural boards and charities, including the London Philharmonic Orchestra.

Mr Martin Paisner CBE

Solicitor and Partner with Berwin Leighton Paisner specialising in trusts and estate planning. He is an Honorary Fellow of Queen Mary College, University of London, Honorary Doctor of the University of Glasgow and trustee of various charities, including Weizmann UK and the Jerusalem Foundation.

Prof Martin Rothman

Professor of Interventional Cardiology at Barts and the London NHS Trust. He is internationally renowned, specialising in coronary angioplasty and was co-founder and president of the UK society of specialists undertaking angioplasty.

Myra Waiman
Partner at Vivat Capital

International Corporate Advisory investment group specialising in strategy and fundraising for biotechnology, pharma and medical device groups. Trustee of several charities including Hope Charity (for children with special needs), the Ben Uri Museum of Jewish Art and Weizmann UK.

Stephen James

Music Publisher, Chairman & Managing Director of Dejamus Limited, formely Dick James Music Ltd. The Beatles, Don Black, Tony Hatch and Elton John are a small list of the many songwriters signed to the company over the last forty-six years. Presently a member of the Music Publishers Association Popular Publisher Committee and co-Chairman of The Heart Cells Foundation Annual Golf Day. Member of the Jewish Care Presidents Forum and has close relationship with Jewish Blind & Disabled.

Stephen Sampson

Qualified as a Chartered Accountant with BDO Stoy Hayward in 1987. Subsequently moved to Baker Tilly where he became a partner and headed up the real estate group. In 2003 he moved to Chiltern Plc as head of real estate. Director of Cadogan Tate Group, AGM Transitions plc and Stradcap Ltd and advise a number of other companies. I am a real estate specialist.

Prof John Martin

Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine at University College London and Adjunct Professor of Medicine at Yale University. He studied philosophy in Spain and medicine at Sheffield University. At UCL he leads the Yale UCL Collaborative. He is an academic researcher and a clinician and has ongoing clinical trials in patients using stem cells.