HeartWorks World Headquarters | A New Home Driving Hope for CHD Families
We’re thrilled to share an exciting milestone in the HeartWorks journey, the creation of the HeartWorks World Headquarters in Eau Claire, WI! This new congenital heart disease (CHD) research and manufacturing facility is more than just a building; it’s the heart of our mission and the home for the innovative, life-changing work that drives us forward.
The headquarters brings together all areas of HeartWorks under one roof: Manufacturing, Research & Discovery, Marketing & Events, and Resource Development. All working to foster greater collaboration and accelerating our ability to serve the congenital heart disease (CHD) community and CHD families.
A Big Vision for Advancing CHD Research and Treatment
The vision for this facility grew from a big dream: to achieve a clinical manufacturing capacity with the ability to produce 100 induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines per year. These lines are crucial in the creation of cell-based therapies and developing personalized treatment options for congenital heart disease.
The greatest barrier in achieving this vision was limited facilities and manufacturing space. At our previous locations, capacity was restricted to producing just 12 iPSC lines per year. The HeartWorks World Headquarters changes that, offering staged growth opportunities designed to meet the needs of the CHD community. Stage 1, launching January 1, 2025, will triple our manufacturing capacity, while Stage 2, currently in the planning phase, will deliver a tenfold increase making it possible to reach our goal of producing 100 iPSC lines annually. This expansion opens the door to more clinical trials, groundbreaking treatments, and renewed hope for families affected by CHD.
Built to Drive Innovation and Impact
When our team first toured the building in Eau Claire, WI, it was our COO and Co-founder Matt Nelson who had the vision to see beyond the existing walls. He imagined a future where HeartWorks could not only scale clinical manufacturing capabilities but also create a true headquarters where every part of our organization could thrive together.
The HeartWorks World Headquarters brings together every part of our organization to better serve the CHD community:
- Manufacturing: Expanding our capacity so more clinical trial participants can access cutting-edge treatments.
- Research & Discovery: Accelerating innovation in advanced CHD care and cell therapy breakthroughs.
- Marketing & Events: Strengthening the CHD patient and family community, connecting with support networks, and raising awareness.
- Resource Development: Creating avenues for donors, volunteers and partners who believe in our mission to get involved and make a difference.
Like any ambitious project, there have been challenges faced along the way, especially aligning facility buildouts and manufacturing outfitting within tight timelines. Our teams have worked tirelessly to keep milestones on track, knowing how crucial these next steps are for the families we serve. However, the reward stemming from this hard work is immeasurable.
With this new headquarters, HeartWorks is shifting from “dabbling” in clinical cell manufacturing to delivering a real, sustainable impact on the countless lives affected by CHD. The new facility also opens doors for growth by expanding our team, welcoming young professionals into our mission, and empowering them to grow along with us.
Why It Matters: Hope for CHD Families and Single Ventricle Conditions
For the 1 in100 families affected by single ventricle CHD – conditions where only one pumping chamber functions, such as HLHS, tricuspid atresia, or double outlet right ventricle (DORV) – treatment is a lifelong journey. Staged surgical pathways like the Norwood, Glenn, and Fontan procedures are critical, but more research and innovative therapies are urgently needed.
By investing in advanced cell therapies and personalized CHD treatments, HeartWorks is working toward improving Fontan outcomes and long-term patient health, creating more treatment options for children and adults and supporting families through every stage of care. Because every family deserves more answers, more options, and more hope.
Looking Ahead: Stage 2 Manufacturing & Expanded CHD Clinical Trails
Our next big milestone: the completion of Stage 2 manufacturing, the step that will bring us closer to our goal of producing 100 iPSC lines per year. Reaching that benchmark will mean more clinical trials, expanded treatment options, and deeper hope for the CHD community. Achieving this next achievement will require strengthened partnerships, ongoing funding, and a growing network of advocates committed to transforming CHD care.
Join Us! HeartWorks World Headquarters Open House
We invite you to be part of this exciting chapter in HeartWorks’ story! Join us for our HeartWorks World Headquarters Open House on October 9, 2025. Explore the new facility, meet the team, and learn how your support helps us bring hope to families impacted by congenital heart disease.
Together, we’re building more than a headquarters, we’re building a future full of possibilities for the CHD community.
