In a landmark moment for both the treatment of heart disease and philanthropic support, The Marcus Foundation has awarded the head of USC Stem Cell Center, Chuck Murry, MD, PhD, $28.7 million to advance a clinical trial testing a stem cell-based therapy designed to regenerate damaged tissue after a heart attack. The award will also support a parallel track of discovery research on the immune response to cell transplantation. Researchers will investigate how immune cells respond to transplanted cells with the goal of developing approaches that could reduce or eliminate the need for immunosuppressive drugs in patients receiving regenerative cardiac therapies.  The pioneering trial will begin at Keck Hospital in 2027 in partnership with the USC Cardiac and Vascular Institute, with a second site at the University of Washington, where some of this technology originated. The 2027 trial will include a small cohort of about 18 patients who have experienced a severe heart attack, resulting in significant damage to the heart muscle. Designed primarily to assess safety and feasibility, the study will evaluate delivery of stem-cell-derived heart muscle cells into damaged regions of the heart. Researchers will also explore early signs of biological activity and potential improvements in cardiac function, while closely monitoring participants throughout their recovery and follow up care.