Minovia Therapeutics announced promising early results from its Phase 1b clinical trial of MNV-201, a first-in-class mitochondrial augmentation therapy, in patients with low-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). The data, which will be presented at the 67th American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting in December 2025, demonstrates encouraging safety and preliminary efficacy signals for this novel therapeutic approach.
Phase 1b Clinical Trial Results
The Phase 1b study conducted at Shaare Zedek Medical Center has enrolled seven patients with low-risk MDS, with six out of nine expected patients dosed to date. MNV-201 has demonstrated a high safety and tolerability profile across all treated patients, with no anti-mitochondrial antibodies detected and no drug-related adverse events reported.
Most notably, one patient achieved transfusion independence with rising hemoglobin levels that have been sustained for more than 10 months. This same patient also showed improvement in blood-based biomarkers of mitochondrial function, suggesting the therapy's mechanism of action is working as intended.
Preclinical Evidence Supporting Clinical Development
Complementing the clinical data, preclinical studies conducted by scientists at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center using MDS animal models showed delayed leukemic progression and improved survival with Minovia's mitochondrial augmentation technology. These findings will be presented by principal investigator Dr. Omar Abdel-Wahab at the ASH meeting.
"We are excited by the possibility suggested by preclinical studies that mitochondrial augmentation of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells may enable delay in disease progression to Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), and by the positive preliminary clinical response," said Natalie Yivgi-Ohana, Ph.D., Minovia's Co-founder and CEO.
Novel Therapeutic Mechanism
MNV-201 represents a first-in-class cell therapy that uses Minovia's proprietary Mitochondrial Augmentation Technology (MAT) to add healthy, energy-producing mitochondria into a patient's own stem cells, aiming to restore organ function and improve health. The company has developed novel blood biomarkers to measure mitochondrial health and has demonstrated for the first time that MDS is presumably an age-related mitochondrial disease.
Regulatory Recognition and Market Context
The therapy has received significant regulatory recognition, with MNV-201 granted Fast Track and Orphan Drug Designations from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for MDS. The drug also holds Fast Track and Rare Pediatric Disease Designation for Pearson Syndrome, another indication being studied.
MDS is characterized by ineffective hematopoiesis resulting in blood cytopenia and clonal instability with risk of evolution to AML. Patients face high symptom burden and risk of death from complications of cytopenia and AML progression. The median age at diagnosis is approximately 70 years, though some Pearson Syndrome patients develop MDS at much higher prevalence rates. About 15% of MDS patients present with sideroblastic anemia, the most common symptom in Pearson Syndrome.
ASH Presentation Details
The data will be featured in an oral presentation on Saturday, December 6 at 2PM ET, as well as part of a workshop titled "Mitochondria and metabolism – clinical trials" on Friday, December 5 at 5:10PM ET during the 67th ASH Annual Meeting and Exposition in Orlando, Florida.
Corporate Development
Concurrent with the clinical progress, Minovia announced entry into a definitive business combination agreement with Launch One Acquisition Corp. (Nasdaq: LPAA). Following the expected closing projected for early 2026, the combined company will operate as Minovia Therapeutics and trade on Nasdaq under a new ticker symbol.
The company operates a GMP facility in Haifa, Israel for mitochondrial drug substance and drug product manufacturing for clinical trials and is planning to expand operations to the U.S.
