Prof. Philippe Menasché | Stem Cell Research | Best Researcher Award
Prof. Philippe Menasché, AP-HP, France
Prof. Philippe Menasché, born on August 10, 1950, is a pioneering French cardiovascular surgeon and regenerative medicine researcher. Renowned globally for his work in cell therapy and heart failure, he performed the world’s first fetal stem cell transplantation in a human heart. With over four decades in medicine, he has blended surgical excellence with translational research, bridging the gap between bench and bedside. A professor since 1988, his leadership spans multiple roles—from senior hospital surgeon to director of major research teams at INSERM and the Carpentier Foundation. He has served as scientific advisor to health authorities and remains an active contributor to high-impact publications and international collaborations. A recipient of prestigious honors such as the Prix Galien and the Earl Bakken Award, Prof. Menasché continues to shape the future of cardiovascular regenerative therapy.
Publication Profile:
✅ Strengths for the Award:
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Pioneering Clinical Innovation
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Performed the first-in-man fetal stem cell transplantation for cardiac repair.
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Led translational research turning basic stem cell science into clinical applications.
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Extensive Academic and Research Leadership
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Over four decades of experience as a cardiovascular surgeon and academic leader.
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Directed major units at INSERM, Carpentier Foundation, and Paris Hospitals.
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Global Recognition and Awards
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Recipient of highly prestigious scientific prizes such as the Prix Galien (2016) and Earl Bakken Award (2011).
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Recognized by top French and international medical societies.
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Recent and Relevant Research Impact
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Active contributor to multicenter trials including ISCHEMIA, STROMA-CoV-2, and TRAUMACELL.
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Publications in high-impact journals on cardiac regeneration, cell therapy, and stem cell-derived secretomes.
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Leadership in Science Policy and Ethics
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President of the Medical and Scientific Council at France’s Agency of Biomedicine.
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Advisor to the French Minister of Health (2005–2007), influencing national bioethics and translational policy.
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⚠️ Areas for Improvement:
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Broader International Integration
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While internationally recognized, deeper ongoing collaboration with North American and Asian biomedical consortia could further elevate global influence.
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The upcoming visiting professorship at Columbia University (2025) is a strong step in this direction.
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Integration of AI & Digital Health
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Limited evidence of work in AI-guided regenerative medicine, machine learning in cardiac diagnostics, or digital health integration in therapeutic development.
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These areas represent major future growth potential in cardiac care.
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Mentorship Visibility
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While his scientific contributions are vast, greater emphasis on training and mentoring the next generation of clinician-scientists would bolster his legacy.
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📚 Education:
Prof. Menasché’s academic foundation is rooted in two pillars of French higher education. He earned his Doctor of Medicine (MD) from the Faculté de Médecine de Paris in 1979, graduating with honors, including the coveted Internship Golden Medal. He then pursued deeper inquiry into biomedical science, culminating in a Doctorate in Science (PhD) from Université Paris-Orsay in 1987. His dual training in clinical medicine and scientific research provided the ideal springboard for a career that integrates patient care with innovation. In 1988, he became a Professor of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, reflecting his command of both technical skill and academic leadership. His scholarly progression has also led to visiting roles abroad, including a forthcoming appointment as Visiting Professor in Biomedical Engineering at Columbia University in 2025. This cross-disciplinary education empowers his unique contribution to both surgical practice and regenerative cardiovascular therapies.
🏥 Experience:
Prof. Menasché began his medical journey in 1973 as an intern in Paris hospitals, ascending to Senior Staff Surgeon in 1988—a position he still holds. From 1995 to 2007, he served as Director of Research at the Surgical School of the Greater Paris Academic Hospitals. His research leadership extended to INSERM, where he directed Unit U633 and co-led regenerative therapy teams. He headed the Laboratory of Biosurgical Research at the Carpentier Foundation from 2002 to 2018. In parallel, he has played influential roles on regulatory and advisory boards, including as President of the Medical and Scientific Council of France’s Agency of Biomedicine. A dedicated member of multiple medical and scientific societies, Prof. Menasché has edited prestigious journals and contributed to over a dozen major clinical trials and collaborative studies. His experience combines clinical excellence, institutional leadership, and innovative research in heart failure and cell therapy.
🧬 Research Focus:
Prof. Menasché’s research is centered on regenerative medicine for cardiovascular diseases, particularly using stem cells and secretomes to repair damaged heart tissue post-myocardial infarction. His team explores therapeutic strategies involving pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes, mesenchymal stromal cells, and extracellular vesicles to promote myocardial regeneration and immune modulation. He has led pioneering first-in-human trials, including the use of cell-derived secretomes in heart failure patients. His investigations bridge fundamental science with translational application, often conducted in multicenter randomized controlled trials. His work also intersects with neurological conditions, such as traumatic brain injury, using cell-based therapies to address neuroinflammation. Prof. Menasché is also involved in evaluating the safety and efficacy of stem cell-based interventions in ARDS, including COVID-19-associated cases. A central member of the European Society of Cardiology’s regenerative medicine group, he is advancing personalized and precise treatments for heart failure through novel biologics and bioengineering tools.
📄 Publications Top Notes:
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🫀 Revitalizing the heart: strategies and tools for cardiomyocyte regeneration post-myocardial infarction
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💉 Trials and tribulations of cell therapy for heart failure: an update on ongoing trials
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🫀📊 Evaluating the Appropriate Use Criteria for Coronary Revascularization in Stable Ischemic Heart Disease Using Randomized Data From the ISCHEMIA Trial
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🧠🧪 Effects of intravascular administration of mesenchymal stromal cells…after traumatic brain injury (TRAUMACELL)
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💓🧫 Relationship Between Severity of Ischemia and Coronary Artery Disease for Different Stress Test Modalities in the ISCHEMIA Trial
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🦠🫁 Treatment of COVID-19-associated ARDS with umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (STROMA-CoV-2)
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🧬💗 Head-to-head comparison of relevant cell sources of small extracellular vesicles for cardiac repair
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🫀💉 First-in-man use of a cardiovascular cell-derived secretome in heart failure – Case report
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🧬🫀 Human PSC-derived cardiac cells and their products: therapies for cardiac repair
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🫀🫄 Impact of Complete Revascularization in the ISCHEMIA Trial
📝 Conclusion:
Prof. Philippe Menasché is exceptionally qualified for the Best Researcher Award. His groundbreaking work in cardiac regeneration, commitment to translational medicine, and lasting contributions to surgical science and healthcare policy make him a uniquely impactful figure. His track record is not only defined by scientific innovation but also by societal relevance, particularly in addressing heart failure—a leading global health burden.