An extensive body of research has demonstrated that increasing transient SDF-1 expression post-tissue injury promotes tissue repair after acute organ injury by preventing cell death and recruiting stem cells to the damaged region. Recent articles from several laboratories have demonstrated SDF-1 therapeutic potential for treatment of stroke, wound management, diabetes, peripheral artery disease, critical limb ischemia, ischemic kidney disease, and spinal cord repair. The tissue-preserving and reparative effects of SDF-1 led Juventas to develop potential therapies utilizing SDF-1 to treat ischemic cardiovascular disease, peripheral artery disease and hard-to-heal wounds. Juventas has demonstrated that therapeutic interventions which prolong or re-establish the ability of SDF-1 to stimulate the stem cell homing process and activate tissue protective mechanisms may be beneficial for patients that have suffered tissue damage, such as after a heart attack.