Metcela Inc. and Japan Lifeline Co., Ltd. announced the start of an investigator-initiated Phase I clinical trial of MTC001 for treatment of patients with chronic ischemic heart failure. The clinical trial is conducted at the University of Tsukuba Hospital, and Metcela will be supplying MTC001. Metcela and JLL have been collaborating on multiple research projects with the University of Tsukuba Hospital in preparation for this clinical trial. Metcela is collaborating with JLL and the University of Tsukuba to bring MTC001 to the clinic. MTC001 is a combination product consisting of an autologous cell therapy and a dedicated administration catheter. Metcela has researched and developed VCAM-1-positive cardiac fibroblasts (VCF1). Fibroblasts are known for their role in scar formation and wound healing and have drawn much interest in the recent years for their critical role in heart development and maintenance of cardiac microenvironment. A specific subpopulation of fibroblasts, VCF1, has shown improvements in cardiac function in preclinical models through mechanisms related to lymphangiogenesis and cardiomyocyte proliferation, as previously reported. Patient-derived (autologous) VCF1 will be used in this clinical trial. To deliver the cell therapy, MTC001 will include a minimally invasive cell administration injection catheter, primarily developed by JLL. The catheter will be connected to the commercially available 3D mapping system to visualize the lesion site for precision cell administration.