Sydney, July 24 - A drug that targets a disease causing gene substantially cuts down muscle damage after a heart attack.

Known as Dz13, the drug targets and neutralises the master regulator c-Jun gene, which brings on inflammation and muscle death in the wake of a heart attack, pre-clinical trials conducted by the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Australia have shown.

The drug also reduces incidental cell and tissue death resulting from life-saving interventions such as balloon angioplasty and stent placements or from the delivery of clot-busting drugs, said a UNSW release.

Significantly, the heart's pumping action is protected by the drug, dramatically improving the patient's chances of a full recovery after a heart attack. Safety trials of Dz13 are now underway ahead of Phase 1 human trials.

'While this drug doesn't prevent the heart attack, it does reduce the damaging effects of the blockage on the heart once it's happened,' said lead investigator Levon Khachigian, professor at UNSW's Centre for Vascular Research.