Teaneck Firm Gets $500K For Pediatric Heart Transplant Research

Federal health officials have awarded a $500,000 grant to a Teaneck company to fund development of a system designed to support infants and young children waiting for heart transplants, Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. announced.

The Glenpointe-based medical research firm, CircuLite, will work to develop technology specifically suited for pediatric patients with congenital and acquired cardiovascular disease, Pascrell’s office said, adding the need for specialized mechanical circulatory support systems is largely unmet.

"I commend CircuLite for taking this important step in improving the health of children suffering from life threatening heart conditions," Pascrell said in a statement. "By investing in medical research, we are making a commitment to protecting the health of all Americans while injecting much-needed capital into our fragile economy.”

CircuLite also received a $3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in 2009 in support of the company’s work to develop the pediatric system.

“It is important that the government is recognizing that the pediatric market has been underserved and is supporting the development of much-needed technology,” CircuLite CEO Paul Southworth said in the statement.