Hancock Jaffe Announces January CoreoGraft Study at the Texas Heart Institute

IRVINE, Calif., Dec. 04, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Hancock Jaffe Laboratories, Inc. (Nasdaq: HJLI, HJLIW), a company specializing in medical devices that restore cardiac and vascular health, announced today that it will begin a feasibility study for its CoreoGraft bioprosthetic graft on January 29th at the Texas Heart Institute.  The pre-clinical study will involve a series of CoreoGraft implantations. HJLI expects to have preliminary results from the study immediately after the first implantations and final results from the study at the end of March, 2019.

Two issues related to vascular grafts used for heart bypass surgery are “short term patency” and “long term patency”; do the grafts become “occluded” or blocked?  A significant portion of the saphenous vein grafts used for coronary bypass surgery become occluded almost immediately. There are many factors that impact graft patency, including size mismatch, the manner in which the graft is connected, the interface between the host artery and the graft, flow rate, biocompatibility, and other factors. The January study at the Texas Heart Institute will focus on short term patency, and flow rates through the CoreoGraft implants will be monitored continuously throughout the duration of the study.

Robert Berman, Hancock Jaffe’s Chief Executive Officer stated, “During the first quarter of 2019, we expect to achieve some significant milestones in the development of two of our key products. The CoreoGraft is one of those products and this pre-clinical study is an important first step in confirming the viability of the CoreoGraft.”

Approximately 180,000 coronary artery bypass surgeries are performed each year in the U.S., necessitating between 300,000 and 450,00 bypass grafts to revascularize the heart. Studies have shown that up to 40 percent of saphenous vein grafts become occluded or clogged as early as one year after bypass surgery. The CoreoGraft is a potential alternative to saphenous vein grafting. Heart disease remains the number one killer in the U.S., accounting for over 600,000 annual deaths. Coronary heart disease is the most common form of heart disease.

About Hancock Jaffe Laboratories, Inc.

HJLI specializes in developing and manufacturing bioprosthetic medical devices to establish improved standards of care for treating cardiac and vascular diseases. HJLI currently has three product candidates: the porcine tissue based VenoValve®, which is intended to be surgically implanted in the deep venous system of the leg to treat Chronic Venue Insufficiency; the CoreoGraft®, a bovine tissue based off the shelf conduit intended to be used for coronary artery bypass surgery, and a porcine tissue based heart valve, which based upon its relatively small size and increased output, is an ideal candidate for pediatric aortic/mitral valve replacement.

Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements

This press release and any statements of stockholders, directors, employees, representatives and partners of Hancock Jaffe Laboratories, Inc. (the “Company”) related thereto contain, or may contain, among other things, certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Such forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties.  Such statements may include, without limitation, statements identified by words such as “projects,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “intends,” “plans,” “potential” or similar expressions.  These statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of the Company’s management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, including those detailed in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Actual results (including, without limitation, the performance of the new board members described herein) may differ significantly from those set forth or implied in the forward-looking statements.  These forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that are subject to change based on various factors (many of which are beyond the Company’s control).  The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future presentations or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

HJLI Press Contacts:

Amy Carmer
Tel: 949-261-2900
Email: [email protected]