An Artificial Heart Its Makers Say Could Be a Standard Replacement

By DAVID JOLLY

It is a long-held dream: an artificial heart to replace one that is damaged or diseased. Now, a French company says that it has the technology to make the implantation of it a standard surgical procedure.Enlarge This Image

Carmat, a medical start-up backed by the European Aeronautic Defense and Space company, is in the final stages of preclinical testing of its total artificial heart for patients with end-stage heart failure. The company hopes to start human testing in France by the end of next year and to bring the technology to the market in Europe in 2013, Marcello Conviti, Carmat's chief executive, said in a telephone interview.

Carmat has been financed by Truffle Capital, a venture capital firm, which holds almost 32 percent of the equity. EADS holds almost 30 percent. Carmat has also received 33 million euros ($41 million) in subsidies from a French government innovation fund.

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