Technology and research
HIPPER: active preservation for donor hearts
A sealed, autonomous system that keeps the donor heart cold and actively supported, tested against today's standard of care in a series of published animal studies.
How it works
1
Cooled
The donor heart is placed in a sealed, cooled chamber.
2
Actively supported
Instead of slowly deteriorating on ice, the heart is actively supported throughout preservation.
3
Autonomous
The system runs by itself during transport, without specialist staff at its side.
Key results
Pig hearts · 8 hours
91.7%
vs 73.1%
After 8 hours of HIPPER, pig hearts recovered 91.7% of their pressure function, versus 73.1% after just 4 hours of cold storage.
American Journal of Transplantation, 2026
Rat hearts · 6 hours
15 of 15
vs 4 of 10
All 15 hearts preserved with HIPPER for 6 hours were resuscitated, versus 4 of 10 after cold storage.
Pathophysiology, 2025
Studies to date
Our research began in 2010 with cells and tissues and has moved, step by step, to whole hearts in large animals. Each study was reviewed by an independent bioethics committee.
Ongoing
Pig, in vivo
HIPPER-preserved hearts after transplantation
Study in progress
Running
2026
Pig heart
8 h HIPPER vs 4 h cold storage
Pressure recovery 91.7% vs 73.1%
Published, AJT
2025
Rat heart
6 h HIPPER vs 6 h cold storage
15 of 15 vs 4 of 10 resuscitated
Published, Pathophysiology
2024
Rabbit lung
HIPPER vs cold storage
Better lung function preserved
Pilot study
2019
Rat heart
Preservation, then transplantation
Heart preserved and transplanted
Early study
2015
Red blood cells, skin grafts
Long-term preservation
Preserved for 30 days
Early study
Protected by two granted patents, one utility model and two international (PCT) applications.
Why it matters for transplant teams
More time
A longer window turns an emergency into a planned operation.
Wider reach
Hearts can travel further, widening the area donor hearts can come from.
More hearts used
Fewer eligible hearts lost to distance and logistics.