Minovia Therapeutics Ltd., a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing novel therapies to treat mitochondrial diseases and combat age-related decline, has been awarded a $350,000 grant from Countdown for a Cure Foundation to advance the development of novel mitochondrial blood-based biomarkers.
The funding will enable Minovia to pursue dual objectives: developing biomarkers to quantify mitochondrial content, quality and function, and using these biomarkers to determine mitochondrial scores in healthy individuals relative to mitochondrial disease patients.
Clinical Trial and Sample Collection
To support this research, Minovia has opened a clinical trial at Sheba Medical Center to collect blood samples from both healthy volunteers and patients suffering from mitochondrial diseases. The Countdown for a Cure grant will specifically fund clinical operations for blood sample collection from approximately 30 patients with primary mitochondrial diseases and 140 samples from healthy controls.
The collected samples will be analyzed in Minovia's laboratories using newly developed biomarkers, with a "MitoScore" determined for each sample. Additionally, the funding will support the development of new biomarkers using novel research tools.
Addressing Critical Unmet Medical Need
Dr. Noa Sher, Minovia's Chief Scientific Officer, emphasized the significance of this development: "We are grateful to the Countdown for a Cure Foundation, whose funds are expected to be instrumental in our advancing development of blood-based functional mitochondrial biomarkers. These biomarkers will enable identification of patients who may benefit from our mitochondrial augmentation technology, or MAT, proprietary platform, as well as patient follow-up after MAT treatment."
The research addresses a profound unmet medical need, as there are currently no approved therapies for mitochondrial dysfunction and no functional tests to diagnose and quantify mitochondrial dysfunction in individuals of all ages. Mitochondrial dysfunction is known to occur in rare genetic mitochondrial diseases, as well as in chronic and age-related diseases.
Vision for Routine Clinical Application
Dr. Sher outlined the company's broader vision: "Given how critical mitochondria are to human health, we envision a world in which assessment of mitochondrial biomarkers is available in routine checkups for individuals of all age groups. We look forward to optimizing this technology."
Company Development and Future Plans
Minovia Therapeutics, chaired by John Cox, is developing treatments to replace dead or defective mitochondria with new healthy mitochondria. The company's main drug product, MNV-201, is currently being tested for Pearson Syndrome and Myelodysplastic Syndrome.
Based in Haifa, Israel, Minovia operates a GMP facility for mitochondrial drug substance and drug product manufacturing for clinical trials related to its therapy, with plans to expand to the U.S.
The company recently announced entry into a definitive business combination agreement with Launch One Acquisition Corp. (Nasdaq: LPAA), a publicly traded special purpose acquisition company. Following the expected closing of the transaction, projected for late 2025, the combined company will operate as Minovia Therapeutics and trade on Nasdaq under a new ticker symbol.
About Countdown for a Cure
Countdown For A Cure (CFAC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing mitochondrial research and medicine, improving the lives of those affected by diseases linked to mitochondrial dysfunction. Founded in 2024 by Mitzi and Jeff Solomon, who experienced mitochondrial dysfunction and its impact on their family firsthand, CFAC partners with leading research institutions and patient advocacy groups to fund cutting-edge science and provide critical support to families.
