Our exit strategy is a cure

HeartWorks was created in June, 2020 to accelerate and expand the product development pioneered by the Todd and Karen Wanek Family Program for Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS), founded at Mayo Clinic in 2010. The HLHS program has formed a nationwide research consortium and developed cell-based therapeutics to treat CHD, some of which are currently in clinical trials.  

The HLHS program’s team of physicians, scientists, and engineers have a combined average of nearly 30 years of experience across their respective disciplines and have focused this expertise on treatments for the most severe forms of CHD, thereby furthering advanced research in genetics, stem cell biology, clinical trials, and cell-based manufacturing.  The team developed a platform that enables multiple cell-based clinical trials to be conducted simultaneously in collaboration with a consortium of world class medical institutions. HeartWorks will expand the HLHS program product pipeline and grow its ecosystem of partners to scale up development of new CHD therapies, clinical trials, and product launches.

Our ecosystem is a critical component of our success. All of our partners believe in and actively support our vision of transformative product development for the CHD community. We will engender trust with our benefactors, CHD children and families, and partner institutions by sharing data and outcomes at a level not possible before within individual institutions. We will share our successes together.

Our Partners

The world’s largest consortium committed to curing congenital heart defects. Together with our partners, the FDA and CHD families we are moving at the speed of trust.

Ten years ago and now

HeartWorks in the News

Superior Fresh Atlantic Salmon Receives the American Heart Association's Heart-Check Certification

HIXTON, Wisc., March 09, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Superior Fresh, the world's largest USDA-certified organic aquaponic greenhouse, is excited to announce that its Atlantic Salmon received the American Heart Association's much-lauded Heart-Check Food Certification Mark.

The iconic Heart-Check mark helps take the guesswork out when reading Nutrition Facts and label information, giving consumers peace of mind that what they are consuming meets the nutritional requirements of the American Heart Association. "The Heart-Check certification mark will be prominently displayed on our Superior Fresh Atlantic salmon fillets, printed materials, boxes, and website starting March 2022. Receiving the Heart-Check certification is a tremendous honor," says Brandon Gottsacker, president of Superior Fresh.

Owner Karen Wanek is committed to changing the future of congenital heart defects (CHD), affecting one in 100 births. Her mission is to improve and increase awareness for heart-healthy food options and continue to support research to cure CHD. Since 2010, the Wanek family has been dedicated to heart health. Superior Fresh is excited to offer its Heart-Check certified salmon to consumers across the continental U.S. through various retailers and via its e-commerce site at superiorfresh.com.

Gottsacker says, "The American Heart Association's rigorous standards reflect the latest in nutritional findings and science-based research, validating the work we have put in to raise healthy salmon. Our Superior salmon are raised on an organic, non-GMO diet. Typical Atlantic salmon contain 1.07g of EPA + DHA per 100g serving, while our Superior Fresh salmon fillets consistently test with over 2x that amount." EPA (eicosapentaenoic) and DHA (docosapexaenoic) are polyunsaturated fats that play a critically important role in helping our bodies function properly.

Wanek is steadfast in her support of the American Heart Association. "This Heart-Check certification only reinforces our devotion to the research we support with HeartWorks to improve the world's heart health." (www.heartworksinc.org)

Superior Fresh, LLC

Superior Fresh, the world's largest USDA-certified organic aquaponic farm, produces land-raised Atlantic salmon in harmony with many varieties of organic leafy greens. Superior Fresh grows safe, nutritious food for the future of a healthier global community while also regenerating nearly 800 acres of land to its native state. We do this as our commitment to the planet and future generations. Our ecosystem provides year-round availability while our team delivers unmatched commitment to customer service. Superior Fresh ensures fresh organic food is always available to local communities. Visit Superior Fresh online to shop and learn more at www.superiorfresh.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE REIMAGINEDTM

www.superiorfresh.com | info@superiorfresh.com

W15506 Superior Fresh Drive, Hixton, Wisconsin 54635

How HeartWorks is trying to cure congenital heart defects

(ABC 6 NEWS) March 23, 2022 - HeartWorks is a non-profit based in Rochester. On Wednesday, the non-profit gave a virtual tour of its manufacturing facility where they are trying to cure congenital heart defects. 

HeartWorks started in June 2020 to expand the product development led by the Todd and Karen Wanek Family Program for Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome founded at Mayo Clinic in 2010. 

The goal of HeartWorks is to create new heart tissue and ultimately cure congenital heart disease. 

People had a chance to see what technology the non-profit is using to reach that goal. "In our lab, what we essentially do is we take a piece of your skin a piece of your skin we grow the cells out of your skin just like you would if you were healing a scar, and we train that skin to become your beating heart muscle," Dr. Tim Nelson with HeartWorks said. 

The lab takes the cells through multiple steps and it takes up to nine months of processing to do this. 

Now they are looking to take this to the next level.

"Using this autologous cell you can imagine planting it into an existing heart that is weak that is missing a part missing a muscle mass and strengthen it. You are literally rebuilding the heart. So this is the vision we plan on doing with the FDA permission in 2022," Nelson said. 

HeartWorks has worked with the FDA and they said they have used animal models to see how safe and effective these cells are. 

They are asking for permission to try this on the first human patient in June. 

HeartWorks + Ashley Home Stores

Ashley Stores Promoting Heart Health Month in Partnership with Heartworks

TAMPA, Fla., Feb. 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Ashley is proud to partner with HeartWorks through the support of Ashley's President and CEO, Todd Wanek and his wife Karen. Their philanthropic contributions have helped accelerate the expansion of the HeartWorks network and progress towards a cure for Congenital Heart Disease (CHD). While bringing awareness to our partnership during February (Heart Health month), we are challenging our employees and customers to take part in a Heart Healthy Challenge, learn more about Heartworks, and raise funds to help find a cure for CHD. Follow along on Ashley's social media, February 13-19th, to learn how to stay heart healthy from the comfort of your own home!