Clydebank's Golden Jubilee Hospital hosts cardiac gene therapy trial

John MacDonald, 73, is the first participant in the study, which aims to improve outcomes following coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

The grandad-of-three took part in the study after suffering a heart attack at the beginning of August 2025.

He was taken to the Golden Jubilee University National Hospital in Clydebank, where he underwent open-heart surgery.

During the procedure, surgeons used a vein from his leg as a graft to restore blood flow to his heart.

John said: “I can’t get over how I’m feeling.

“I was managing to go for walks two or three weeks after getting out of hospital, I’m driving again now and I’ve been doing wee bits around the garden.

“I can go up and down the stairs in the house now, I don’t feel lethargic anymore.

“I’m sleeping a lot better than I ever was.

“My health is just fantastic.”

The clinical trial, known as the PROTECT study, is being led by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and the University of Glasgow.

It involves treating the grafted vein with a viral vector carrying the TIMP-3 gene during surgery.

The therapy is designed to reduce thickening and blockages in the graft in order to improve long-term outcomes.

John MacDonald has become the first person to take part in a ground-breaking cardiac gene therapy trial (Image: HS Greater Glasgow and Clyde)

John, who previously had stents fitted following a cardiac arrest 13 years ago, is now recovering well and encourages others to consider taking part in clinical research.

He said: “All of the medical staff and the research team explained exactly what they were going to do, it was very detailed and I knew what to expect.

“They also stressed that I was under no obligation to volunteer and gave me time to discuss it with my family.

“My wife and I thought, well, if it’s going to benefit me in the years to come, and benefit others in the future because it has been through this trial, then I would like to do that.

“This experiment could not only prolong my life, but it could prolong my healthy years.

“I’m glad to be helping the clinical and research teams achieve what they are trying to do, and I’d encourage others to consider taking part in studies like this one that could help many people in the future.

“We as a family are forever grateful to a magnificent team of surgeons, doctors and nurses who have fixed my failing heart and given me my quality of life back.”

Colin Berry, professor of cardiology and imaging at the University of Glasgow, said: “Heart bypass surgery is a life-saving treatment for patients with coronary heart disease, and millions of people around the world are living longer due to the benefits of bypass surgery.

“Our team has developed a new approach to prevent vein graft failure.

“The new gene therapy has been developed during more than two decades of teamwork involving many experts working in collaboration.

“We are delighted to be leading this new study which is designed to clarify the feasibility and potential benefits of this new therapy for patients undergoing heart bypass surgery.”

The PROTECT team (Image: HS Greater Glasgow and Clyde)

Professor Jesse Dawson, director of research and innovation at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said: “This study marks an exciting milestone for cardiovascular research and patient care.

“By using gene therapy during bypass surgery, we aim to improve the durability of vein grafts and reduce the risk of complications over time.

“Our ultimate goal is to help patients not only live longer but enjoy a better quality of life after surgery.

“Our team in the research and innovation department worked really hard to get this unique study up and running and we are proud to lead this world-first trial in partnership with the University of Glasgow and our NHS Golden Jubilee colleagues.

“We are grateful to patients like John who make this vital research possible.”

The PROTECT study is supported by the Medical Research Council, the British Heart Foundation and has received additional support from the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult, MVLS Translational Research Initiatives Wellcome Translational Partnership Award and Northern Alliance Advanced Therapy Treatment Centre, as well as the universities of Bristol and Cardiff.