University of Alberta Press Release (July 28, 2026)

Can research gleaned from a hibernating snail save a human heart?

The breakthrough led to a new drug, which could revolutionize heart attack survival, human longevity, and deep-space exploration. Researchers: the discovery ‘caught us by surprise.’

July 28, 2026

EDMONTON — University of Alberta researchers have discovered a novel drug – named SNAP –  that unlocks the secret of snail hibernation, allowing them to safely put non-hibernating animal organs into a deep metabolic sleep. 

The discovery of the “first-in-class” small molecule is detailed in a new study, published in Nature Communications and led by Dr. Evangelos Michelakis, professor and director of the Cardiovascular Research Institute. 

During hibernation, animals have extremely low heart and breathing rates which cause a huge drop in the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to their tissues (ischemia) but they don’t suffer any damage from this during, or upon exit from it (reperfusion). Meanwhile, non-hibernators, like humans, suffer from both. Ischemia and its complications are the number one cause of death in humans. 

To bridge this gap, researchers replicated a natural hibernation molecule they discovered in hibernating snails to synthesize a drug called SNAP (Snail Activator of PHLPP1). The small molecule is a “first-in-class” specific activator of the widely conserved phosphatase PHLPP1, a universal cellular control centre. SNAP decreases the dependency of cells to oxygen and nutrients, safely shielding tissues from ischemia and reperfusion.  

The breakthrough could have clinical implications ranging from the preservation of organs offered for transplantation and heart attack care, to longevity medicine, or even inducing hibernation in astronauts of ultralong space travel.

“This is the first direct transfer of hibernation biology, that has remained enigmatic for decades, to non-hibernators,” Michelakis says. “It could improve the usability of offered organs and the lives of transplant patients and their loved ones.”

SNAP’s first application will be the donated transplant organs, which suffer significant damage during the transport and placement into the recipient. Modelling the process in mouse hearts, the team showed that SNAP successfully prevented injury and preserved heart function. Beyond transplants, SNAP may also be beneficial in patients undergoing coronary interventions or by-pass surgery and advancing anti-aging research.

“SNAP decreases senescence in stressed cells,” co-author and post-doctoral fellow Dr. Jiyuan Piao, explains. “This means that SNAP may also be beneficial in longevity medicine, in keeping with the fact that, during hibernation, animals exhibit slower aging rates.”

Michelakis concludes that SNAP could mirror the multi-benefit success of drugs like metformin or Ozempic, which offer cardioprotective, anti-cancer, and longevity benefits.

The study was funded by the New Frontiers in Research Fund, Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the University of Alberta Hospital Foundation grants.

For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact:

Sarah Vernon | U of A Media Strategist | svernon@ualberta.ca