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FDA details Helix catheter clearance routes for BioCardia (NASDAQ: BCDA)

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(Moderate)
Filing Sentiment
(Neutral)
Form Type
8-K

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

BioCardia, Inc. describes alignment with FDA on marketing clearance pathways for its Helix Transendocardial Delivery Catheter System. FDA agreed there are two potential routes and raised no concerns about Helix safety data, device performance, or compatibility with general classes of agents.

FDA’s preferred path would link Helix approval to approval of BioCardia’s CardiAMP cell therapy system for treating heart failure. FDA also indicated that a follow-on pre-submission, incorporating its advice, could support Helix clearance through the DeNovo pathway, which could position Helix for broader use with other investigational biologic therapies.

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Insights

FDA outlined two potential clearance routes for BioCardia’s Helix catheter without raising safety concerns.

BioCardia reports that FDA sees two marketing clearance pathways for the Helix Transendocardial Delivery Catheter, and did not raise issues with its safety data, device performance, or compatibility with general classes of agents. This provides clearer regulatory direction for the platform.

One route ties Helix approval to approval of the CardiAMP cell therapy for heart failure, while another could proceed via a DeNovo pathway after a follow-on pre-submission. The company notes that independent Helix clearance may support partnering opportunities for other cell, gene, and protein therapies, but actual outcomes will depend on future submissions and regulatory decisions.

Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure Disclosure
Material non-public information disclosed under Regulation Fair Disclosure, often investor presentations or guidance.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits Exhibits
Financial statements, pro forma financial information, and exhibit attachments filed with this report.
Helix Transendocardial Delivery Catheter System medical
"outcome of its Pre-Submission Meeting with FDA on the Helix Transendocardial Delivery Catheter System"
DeNovo pathway regulatory
"a follow-on pre-submission incorporating agency advice could enable Helix approval via the DeNovo pathway"
FDA Breakthrough designation regulatory
"Granted FDA Breakthrough designation, CardiAMP Cell Therapy uses a patient’s own bone marrow cells"
microvascular dysfunction medical
"intended to increase capillary density and reduce tissue fibrosis of myocardial tissue to address microvascular dysfunction"
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) regulatory
"Clinical development of the CardiAMP Cell Therapy for heart failure is supported by the Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund and is reimbursed by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)"
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is a U.S. federal agency that runs the country’s major public health insurance programs and sets rules for how providers get paid and how medical products are covered. Investors care because CMS decisions on coverage, payment rates, and rules can change how much revenue healthcare companies earn—think of CMS like a giant client or regulator whose pricing and coverage choices can make or break a product’s market.
false 0000925741 0000925741 2026-05-08 2026-05-08
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 8-K
 
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): May 8, 2026
 
BIOCARDIA, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Delaware
 
001-38999
 
23-2753988
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
 
(Commission
File Number)
 
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
 
320 Soquel Way
Sunnyvale, California 94085
(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)
 
Registrants telephone number, including area code: (650) 226-0120
 
 
 
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
 
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
 
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
 
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
 
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Trading Symbol(s)
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $0.001
BCDA
The Nasdaq Capital Market
 
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR §230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR §240.12b-2 of this chapter)
 
 
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
 
 

 
 
Item 7.01
Regulation FD Disclosure.
 
On May 8, 2026, BioCardia, Inc. issued a press release reporting the outcome of its Pre-Submission Meeting with FDA on the Helix Transendocardial Delivery Catheter System (Helix). FDA agreed that there are two pathways for Helix marketing clearance and raised no concerns on Helix safety data, device performance, or compatibility with general classes of agents. FDA’s preferred route of Helix approval was simultaneous with the approval of the CardiAMP cell therapy system for the treatment of heart failure. FDA also suggested a follow-on pre-submission incorporating agency advice could enable Helix approval via the DeNovo pathway.
 
A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 to this current report on Form 8-K.
 
The information furnished pursuant to this Item 7.01, including Exhibit 99.1 hereto, shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities under that section, nor shall it be deemed to be incorporated by reference in any filing made by the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as otherwise expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing. 
 
Item 9.01   Financial Statements and Exhibits.
 
(d) Exhibits
 
Exhibit No.
 
Description
99.1
 
BioCardia, Inc. press release dated May 8, 2026
104   Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)
 
 

 
 
SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
 
 
BIOCARDIA, INC.
 
   
/s/ Peter Altman, Ph.D.
 
Peter Altman, Ph.D.
 
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
   
Date: May 8, 2026
 
 
 

Exhibit 99.1

 

BIOCARDIA AND FDA ALIGN ON HELIX TRANSENDOCARDIAL DELIVERY CATHETER CLEARANCE PATHWAYS

 

SUNNYVALE, Calif. – May 8, 2026 -BioCardia®, Inc. [Nasdaq: BCDA], a global leader in cellular and cell-derived therapeutics for the treatment of cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases, today announced the outcome of its Pre-Submission Meeting with FDA on the Helix Transendocardial Delivery Catheter System (Helix).

 

FDA agreed that there are two pathways for Helix marketing clearance and raised no concerns on Helix safety data, device performance, or compatibility with general classes of agents. FDA’s preferred route of Helix approval was simultaneous with the approval of the CardiAMP cell therapy system for the treatment of heart failure. FDA also suggested a follow-on pre-submission incorporating agency advice could enable Helix approval via the DeNovo pathway.

 

“We see these pathways as synergistic and are thankful for the FDA’s time and responsiveness,” said BioCardia Chief Executive Officer Peter Altman, PhD. “We aim to deliver on both pathways as an independent Helix market clearance should enhance development and commercial partnering for other high value investigational cell, gene, and protein therapeutics.”

 

About Helix Transendocardial Delivery Catheter

 

The Helix transendocardial delivery catheter is an enabling platform for minimally invasive targeted delivery of therapeutic and diagnostic agents to the heart intramyocardially. It enables agents to be delivered precisely within the heart with superior retention over other therapeutic delivery modalities, and to many regions of the heart that other delivery methods cannot reach. The Helix includes a specialized small distal helical needle which engages the heart tissue from within the chamber of the heart and provides stability within the dynamic beating heart to safely enable agent delivery. 

 

About CardiAMP Cell Therapy

 

Granted FDA Breakthrough designation, CardiAMP Cell Therapy uses a patient’s own bone marrow cells delivered to the heart in a minimally invasive, catheter-based procedure intended to increase capillary density and reduce tissue fibrosis of myocardial tissue to address microvascular dysfunction. Japan Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Agency has indicated that the clinical results from three completed clinical trials for the treatment of ischemic heart failure likely provide sufficient evidence of safety and efficacy to support a successful submission for approval.

 

Clinical development of the CardiAMP Cell Therapy for heart failure is supported by the Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund and is reimbursed by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). CAUTION - Limited by United States law to investigational use. 

 

 

 

About BioCardia®

 

BioCardia, Inc., headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, is a global leader in cellular and cell-derived therapeutics for the treatment of cardiovascular and pulmonary disease. CardiAMP® autologous and CardiALLO™ allogeneic cell therapies are the Company’s biotherapeutic platforms with three cardiac clinical stage product candidates in development. These therapies are enabled by its Helix™ biotherapeutic delivery and Morph® vascular navigation product platforms, and soon the Heart3D™ fusion imaging platform. BioCardia selectively partners on biotherapeutic delivery with peers developing important biologic therapies. For more information visit www.biocardia.com.

 

Upcoming Catalysts in May 2026:

 

·

FDA CBER Meeting on CardiAMP Cell Therapy Approval Pathways

 

·

CardiAMP Clinical Readout Oral Presentation at EuroPCR

 

·

Japan PMDA Formal Clinical Consultation Advice Received

 

Forward Looking Statements:

 

This press release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to many risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements relating to submission for and subsequent market clearance of the Helix Transendocardial Delivery Catheter or CardiAMP Cell Therapy. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release.

 

We may use terms such as “believes,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “plans,” “intends,” “may,” “could,” “might,” “will,” “should,” “approximately” or other words that convey the uncertainty of future events or outcomes to identify these forward-looking statements. Although we believe that we have a reasonable basis for each forward-looking statement contained herein, we caution you that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and that our actual results may differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, the Company’s liquidity position and its ability to raise additional funds, as well as the Company’s ability to successfully progress its clinical trials. As a result of these factors, we cannot assure you that the forward-looking statements in this press release will prove to be accurate. Additional factors that could materially affect actual results can be found in BioCardia’s Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 24, 2026, under the caption titled “Risk Factors” and in its subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. BioCardia expressly disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

 

 

 

###

 

Media Contact:
Miranda Peto, Investor Relations
Email: mpeto@BioCardia.com
Phone: 650-226-0120

 

Investor Contact:
David McClung, Chief Financial Officer
Email: investors@BioCardia.com
Phone: 650-226-0120

 

 

FAQ

What did BioCardia (BCDA) announce about its Helix catheter and the FDA?

BioCardia announced that FDA agreed there are two potential marketing clearance pathways for its Helix Transendocardial Delivery Catheter System and raised no concerns about Helix safety data, device performance, or compatibility with general classes of agents, giving the company clearer regulatory direction.

What are the two FDA clearance pathways for BioCardia’s Helix catheter?

FDA indicated a preferred route where Helix approval would occur simultaneously with approval of the CardiAMP cell therapy system for heart failure, and a second route where a follow-on pre-submission, incorporating FDA advice, could potentially allow Helix approval via the DeNovo pathway.

How is BioCardia’s CardiAMP Cell Therapy described in this 8-K and press release?

CardiAMP Cell Therapy uses a patient’s own bone marrow cells delivered to the heart in a minimally invasive catheter-based procedure to increase capillary density and reduce fibrosis, holds FDA Breakthrough designation, and is supported by the Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund and reimbursed by CMS in clinical development.

Why could independent Helix clearance matter for BioCardia (BCDA)?

BioCardia’s CEO stated that an independent Helix market clearance could enhance development and commercial partnering for other high-value investigational cell, gene, and protein therapeutics that require precise intramyocardial delivery, potentially broadening the platform’s relevance beyond the company’s own programs.

What cautionary statements did BioCardia include about Helix and CardiAMP approvals?

BioCardia emphasized that statements about Helix and CardiAMP submissions and market clearance are forward-looking and subject to risks, including the company’s liquidity, ability to raise additional funds, and ability to progress clinical trials, with actual results potentially differing materially from current expectations.

How did BioCardia characterize the regulatory status of CardiAMP for ischemic heart failure in Japan?

The company noted that Japan’s Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Agency indicated that clinical results from three completed trials for ischemic heart failure likely provide sufficient evidence of safety and efficacy to support a successful submission for approval, framing CardiAMP’s data as potentially adequate for that market’s review.

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

5 documents