More than 4 million Europeans die every year from Cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Myocardial infarction (MI) generates the highest mortality. At present, its treatment mainly includes drug therapy, implantation of devices or cardiac re-synchronization. Despite these solutions, the mortality and re-entry rates are still high and only heart transplant offers a curative therapy. Unfortunately, humans lack adequate regeneration in the heart. Cell-based regenerative therapies are becoming a promising treatment for patients affected by MI. In parallel, 3D printing technology is offering exciting new ways to provide personalized care and create better-performing medical devices. Both, Health and 3D printing sectors can clearly benefit each other. Europe has the necessary assets to boost these sectors but it lacks of structures that promote cooperation, synergies and create joint work actions between these two key sectors.

CARDIOPATCH addresses this challenge by developing specific actions with a four-fold approach (Research-Economy-Public Authorities-Society):