Ottawa researchers enter home stretch in race to produce artificial heart

An Ottawa team is in a fierce race to produce an artificial heart. If it wins, the prize will be huge: a worldwide market worth billions of dollars. The team, led by Dr. Tofy Mussivand, brings together scientists and entrepreneurs. The goal is to produce a heart that improves patients' quality of life and doesn't leave them tethered to a machine in hospital. Current plans are to complete clinical tests by 2000 and to have a commercial product ready for market in 2001-2. Several other groups are also racing the clock.