Dr. Ernst von Schwarz, Principal Investigator of Hemostemix VesCell(TM) Longevity Clinical Trial

Rhea-AI Summary

Hemostemix (OTCQB: HMTXF) appointed Prof. Dr. Ernst von Schwarz as Principal Investigator of its VesCell™ (ACP-01) longevity clinical trial, which will assess cardiovascular health, six‑minute walk distance, cognitive function and immune status as measures of health-span.

Dr. von Schwarz, a triple board-certified transplant surgeon, cardiologist and physician-scientist, has co-authored Hemostemix VesCell studies and is featured in the longevity-focused documentary HeartCode. Prior VesCell data include mean left ventricular ejection fraction rising from 14.6% to 28.4%, six‑minute walk gains of about 80 meters, significant reductions in myocardial perfusion defects, NYHA heart-failure class improvement, broad SF‑36 quality‑of‑life gains, and a long-term vascular dementia case report. Hemostemix reports seven completed clinical studies in 318 subjects and Phase II chronic limb‑threatening ischemia results with 0% mortality and wound healing in 83% of followed patients.

Positive

• Appointment of leading PI Prof. Dr. Ernst von Schwarz to lead VesCell longevity trial
• LVEF improvement from 14.6% to 28.4% in VesCell cardiomyopathy study (94.5% relative gain, p<0.003)
• Six-minute walk distance increased ~81 m at 3 months and ~80 m at 6 months (p<0.001) in Phase I angina trial
• Myocardial perfusion defects decreased by up to 45.3% at 6 months (p<0.005) post VesCell treatment
• Heart-failure class improved from NYHA IV/III to III/II at 180 days in 41-patient Phase I (p<0.05)
• CLTI Phase II mid-point 0% mortality and 83% wound healing up to 4.5 years in diabetes-based patients

Negative

• None.

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Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - August 12, 2026) - Hemostemix Inc. (TSXV: HEM) (OTCQB: HMTXF) (FSE: 2VF0) ("Hemostemix" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of Prof. Dr. Ernst von Schwarz, MD, PhD, FESC, FACC, FSCAI, as Principal Investigator of Hemostemix' VesCell™ (ACP-01) longevity clinical trial.

The study is designed to investigate whether Hemostemix' VesCell™ can improve measurable dimensions of longevity including cardiovascular health associated with health-span (healthy active aging), improvements in muscle function as measured by the six minute walk test, cognitive function, and immune system improvement as measured by decreased inflammation.

About Prof. Dr. Ernst von Schwarz

Dr. von Schwarz brings more than three decades of cardiovascular, academic and regenerative-medicine experience to the study. Triple board certified as a transplant surgeon, cardiologist and physician-scientist at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and UCLA, Dr. von Schwarz has published more than 150 scientific papers, including as co-author of Hemostemix' retrospective study evaluating transcatheter implantation of VesCell in patients with ischemic and non-ischemic cardiomyopathy. He joined Hemostemix' Scientific Advisory Board in 2022; and, he joined Phase II investigator Dr. York Hsiang in Hemostemix' educational webinar, When Standard Heart Treatment Isn't Enough, May 2026.

Most recently, Dr. von Schwarz is the featured expert in HeartCode, a powerful and emotionally charged documentary that details how most heart-related deaths are preventable, and how longevity is achievable. "There is an important connection between cardiovascular health and longevity: our organs cannot remain healthy without adequate circulation," said Dr. von Schwarz. "The VesCell™ data to-date supports a properly designed longevity study, to measure whether cardiovascular function, physical capacity, quality of life and other objective markers of health-span can be preserved and improved; and, I look forward to answer these questions rigorously," he said.

From Restoring Circulation to Extending Health-span: Longevity

The Longevity trial is designed to generate clinical evidence that support participation in health-span competitions, some which offer up to US$101 million in prize funding to accelerate innovations that improve healthy human aging. One such competition measures longevity as increases in muscle capacity as defined by the 6 minute walk test, improved cognition and immune system function, which Hemostemix' clinical results mirror.

For example, in the study co-authored by Dr. von Schwarz, subjects with a left ventricle ejection fraction below 20% improved from a mean LVEF of 14.6% before treatment to 28.4% at final follow-up, representing a 94.5% relative improvement (p < 0.003), which is consistent with improvement in Subjects' six minute walk test.

Improved 6 Minute Walk Test and Improved Heart Function: In the Phase I Angina trial, mean six-minute walk distance increased 81.3 meters post treatment at 3 months, p<0.001 and remained as an increase of 79.6 meters at 6 months from baseline, p<0.001 (Tresukosol et al., 2006). In the same study, the proportion of heart that was suffering from inadequate blood circulation improved 45.3%: myocardial perfusion defects decreased 37.9% at three months, p<0.004, and decreased by 45.3% at six months from baseline, p<0.005 (Tresukosol et al., 2006).

Reversal of Heart Failure as Measured by NYHA Classification: The New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification grades heart failure from Class I, where normal activity causes no symptoms, to Class IV (end stage), where shortness of breathe and chest symptoms occur even at rest. In Hemostemix' 41 patient Phase I, NYHA classification decreased from Class IV/III to Class III/II at 180 days, p<0.05, reflecting substantially better daily function and fewer heart-failure symptoms (Arom et al., 2008).

In Hemostemix' Phase I ischemic cardiomyopathy study, 30 patients with paired SF-36 assessments at three and six months showed increases across all eight quality-of-life domains, with statistically significant improvements:

• 58% improvement In Physical Functioning from 37.83 to 60.09-an increase of 22.26 points, p<0.001;

• 92% improvement in Role Limitations due to physical health from 31.89 to 61.21-up 29.32, p<0.001;

• 56% improvement in General Health from 34.79 to 54.57-up 19.78 points, p<0.001;

• 48.6% improvement in Vitality from 39.58 to 58.82-up 19.24 points, p=0.001;

• 24% improvement in Social Functioning from 60.83 to 75.42-up 14.59 points, p=0.014.

• 30.8% improvement in the Physical Component Summary, from 30.75 to 40.21, up 9.46 points, p<0.001

VesCell™ Vascular Dementia Case Study: Before treatment, Mrs. L. had experienced a loss of executive function, short and long-term memory, judgment, and the ability to perform the activities of daily living. Seven years post treatment, in a telephone call with four physicians and Thomas Smeenk, Mrs. L reported that within six months of her VesCell™ treatment, she regained her ability to live independently. During the 12 minute call, Mrs. L clearly recalled her "wonderful" treatment experience, her career, child bearing years and family, and her active social calendar, with the ease of a cognitively healthy individual.

SF 36 Survey and P Values Explained: The SF-36 is a validated questionnaire that measures changes in quality of life based on physical health, pain, energy, emotional well-being and ability to perform everyday activities. A result of p<0.05 means there is less than a 5% probability that the observed difference arose from random variation alone, the conventional threshold for statistical significance. In Hemostemix' clinical trials, findings less than p<0.05 provide increasingly strong evidence that the improvements were not due to chance.

"Dr. von Schwarz is uniquely qualified to lead this study because his career sits precisely at the intersection of cardiovascular medicine, regenerative medicine and longevity," said Thomas Smeenk, CEO. "Combined with his work on HeartCode, Dr. von Schwarz is recognized as an expert who details how to extend healthy, fully functional life well past age 100! That is a very significant global business for Hemostemix," Smeenk said.

About Hemostemix

Hemostemix is an autologous stem cell therapy platform company, founded in 2003. A winner of the World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer Award, the Company has developed, patented, is scaling and selling autologous (patient's own) blood-based stem cell therapy, VesCell™ an investigational autologous stem cell therapy developed to support circulation in areas affected by diseases of ischemia. VesCell™ is derived from a patient's own blood and evaluated through structured clinical research. Hemostemix has completed seven clinical studies of 318 subjects and published its results in eleven peer reviewed publications. ACP-01 is safe, and appears clinically relevant as a treatment for peripheral arterial disease, chronic limb threatening ischemia, non ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy, ischemic cardiomyopathy, congestive heart failure, and angina. Hemostemix completed its Phase II clinical trial for chronic limb threatening ischemia and published its results in the Journal of Biomedical Research & Environmental Science. As compared to a five year mortality rate of 50% in the CLTI diabetes-based patient population, UBC and U of T reported to the 41st meeting of vascular surgeons: 0% mortality, cessation of pain, wound healing in 83% of patients followed for up to 4.5 years, as a midpoint result. For more information, please visit www.hemostemix.com.

For further information, please contact:

Thomas Smeenk
President & CEO
Hemostemix Inc.
Email: tsmeenk@hemostemix.com
Phone: 905-580-4170

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation, including statements concerning the proposed longevity clinical trial, its design, regulatory approvals, commencement, enrollment, endpoints and potential clinical applications of VesCell™ (ACP-01). Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. There can be no assurance that the proposed clinical trial will commence as contemplated, receive required approvals, achieve its proposed endpoints or demonstrate safety or efficacy for any indication. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

VesCell™ (ACP-01) remains investigational, and statements regarding its potential applications should not be interpreted as establishing safety or efficacy for longevity or any indication not authorized by the applicable regulatory authority.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/309315

FAQ

What did Hemostemix (HMTXF) announce on August 12, 2026 about its VesCell longevity trial?

Hemostemix announced that Prof. Dr. Ernst von Schwarz was appointed Principal Investigator of its VesCell™ (ACP-01) longevity clinical trial. According to Hemostemix, the study will measure cardiovascular health, six‑minute walk distance, cognition and immune markers to assess healthy aging and health-span outcomes.

Who is Prof. Dr. Ernst von Schwarz and what is his role in the Hemostemix (HMTXF) VesCell study?

Prof. Dr. Ernst von Schwarz is a triple board-certified transplant surgeon, cardiologist and physician-scientist at Cedars-Sinai and UCLA. According to Hemostemix, he will serve as Principal Investigator of the VesCell™ longevity trial and previously co-authored VesCell cardiomyopathy research.

What prior clinical results support Hemostemix VesCell (ACP-01) for heart conditions?

Prior VesCell studies reported mean left ventricular ejection fraction rising from 14.6% to 28.4% in severe cardiomyopathy. According to Hemostemix, trials also showed six‑minute walk distance increases of about 80 meters and myocardial perfusion defect reductions up to 45.3% with statistically significant p‑values.

How did Hemostemix VesCell affect six-minute walk test performance in earlier trials?

In a Phase I angina trial, mean six‑minute walk distance increased 81.3 meters at three months and 79.6 meters at six months from baseline. According to Hemostemix, both improvements were statistically significant with p<0.001, indicating better functional exercise capacity after VesCell treatment.

What quality-of-life improvements were observed with Hemostemix VesCell therapy?

In a Phase I ischemic cardiomyopathy study, SF‑36 scores improved across all eight domains, including a 58% gain in Physical Functioning and 92% in Role Limitations. According to Hemostemix, these changes were statistically significant (many with p<0.001), suggesting broad quality‑of‑life benefits.

What Phase II chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) results has Hemostemix reported for VesCell ACP-01?

Hemostemix reports Phase II CLTI results with 0% mortality and wound healing in 83% of patients followed up to 4.5 years. According to Hemostemix, these mid-point outcomes compare against an estimated five‑year mortality rate of 50% in the broader CLTI diabetes-based patient population.

What is Hemostemix VesCell (ACP-01) and what conditions is it being studied for?

VesCell™ (ACP-01) is an autologous, blood-derived stem cell therapy designed to support circulation in ischemic disease. According to Hemostemix, it has been studied in peripheral arterial disease, chronic limb-threatening ischemia, dilated and ischemic cardiomyopathy, congestive heart failure and angina.