Deramiocel could support movement and heart health in DMD

5 December 2025

A new medicine called deramiocel may help slow down muscle weakness and protect heart health in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a condition that causes muscles to get weaker over time.

DMD is a genetic condition that stops the body from making enough of a protein called dystrophin, which helps keep muscles strong. Without dystrophin, muscles, including the heart, become weaker over time. This can make everyday movement harder and cause serious heart problems.

Deramiocel is made up of cardiosphere-derived cells (CDCs). These are a rare type of heart cell that can release signals to reduce inflammation, repair tissue and reduce scarring. They are collected from donors who do not have DMD.

In the phase 3 clinical trial, 106 boys and men with DMD, aged 10 years and older, were randomly assigned to receive deramiocel or placebo (dummy drug) every three months for a year. The results were encouraging:

• Arm and hand function declined 54% more slowly in those taking deramiocel compared to placebo
• Heart function (measured by how well the heart pumps blood) declined 91% more slowly compared to placebo.

These findings suggest deramiocel could help slow the progression of DMD and support both movement and heart health. The full results will be published in a scientific journal.

The company behind deramiocel is now working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to make the treatment available in the United States. We expect the company to seek approval in other countries later.

Read the trial results.