Paragonix and UW Medicine Launch CONCERT-DCD Trial to Boost Heart Transplant Utilization — Paragonix Technologies, Inc.

Event summary

Paragonix Technologies and UW Medicine launched the CONCERT-DCD clinical trial on May 27, 2026, to evaluate a novel preservation technique for Donation after Circulatory Death (DCD) hearts.
The trial will use the SherpaPak® Cardiac Transport System and UW Medicine’s CONCERT technique to assess safety and efficacy in a prospective, multicenter study.
The study aims to provide real-world evidence for a scalable, cost-effective alternative to complex machine perfusion methods.
Participating transplant centers have begun enrollment following IRB approval.

The big picture

The CONCERT-DCD trial addresses the growing need for scalable solutions in organ transplantation, particularly as DCD hearts become a more critical part of the donor pool. Paragonix’s collaboration with UW Medicine underscores the industry’s shift toward evidence-based, cost-effective preservation technologies that reduce clinical burden while maximizing organ viability. The success of this trial could redefine standards for heart transplant utilization, particularly in centers with limited resources.

What we're watching

Clinical Validation: Whether the CONCERT-DCD trial will successfully validate the SherpaPak® system as a reliable method for DCD heart preservation.
Market Expansion: The pace at which Paragonix can scale this preservation technique to low-volume, resource-constrained transplant centers.
Regulatory Approval: How the trial results will influence regulatory pathways for broader adoption of DCD heart transplants.