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Business roundup: Grant to advance mitochondrial biomarker research
Age Tech World explores the latest business developments in the world of ageing and longevity.
Grant to advance groundbreaking mitochondrial biomarker research
Countdown For A Cure, a foundation dedicated to accelerating mitochondrial research and medicine, has announced a US$350,000 grant to Minovia Therapeutics, a clinical-stage company pioneering mitochondrial transplantation technologies.
The funding will support Minovia’s research proposal to develop novel mitochondrial blood-based biomarkers that quantify mitochondrial content, quality, and function, with the goal of establishing a standardised “MitoScore.”
In addition to developing mitochondrial augmentation and transplantation (MAT)-based therapies, Minovia has set dual goals: advancing biomarkers to measure mitochondrial health and using these biomarkers to compare mitochondrial scores in healthy individuals and patients with mitochondrial disease.
By doing so, Minovia aims to provide tools for earlier diagnosis, better disease tracking, and more effective evaluation of therapies.
Mitochondrial dysfunction is a hallmark not only of rare genetic diseases but also of chronic and age-related conditions.
Despite its central role in human health, impacting the brain, heart, muscles, metabolism, and immunity, there are no approved therapies or functional diagnostic tests for mitochondrial dysfunction.
When mitochondria become damaged or stop working properly, cells fail to produce enough energy, triggering a ripple effect that undermines nearly every system in the body. Causes can range from genetics and aging to environmental toxins, infections, poor diet, chronic stress, and medications.
Because dysfunction often hides behind seemingly unrelated symptoms, it is frequently misdiagnosed or missed entirely, earning its reputation as the “hidden root cause” of disease.
“We shouldn’t just be fixing disease; we should be funding the future of health and healing,” said Mitzi Solomon, Founder & President of Countdown For A Cure Foundation.
“Supporting Minovia’s biomarker work is a crucial step in advancing mitochondrial medicine to the forefront of healthcare, not only for patients living with rare mitochondrial diseases, but also for the millions worldwide facing conditions linked to mitochondrial dysfunction.
“As one of the most overlooked drivers of health and disease, mitochondrial dysfunction plays a central role in everything from neurodegeneration and chronic fatigue to aging and metabolic disorders.
“By addressing this profound unmet need, we have an opportunity to transform how medicine prevents, diagnoses, and treats disease at its root.”
First hydrogen-based therapy with the potential to target Alzheimer’s disease unveiled
H2 Medical Technologies, part of the H2 Global Group, has developed the world’s first functional hydrogen-based therapy medical device prototype for clinical trials — aimed at both preventing and treating Alzheimer’s disease.
H2 Global Group will present this breakthrough at LSI Europe 2025 in London, one of the world’s most prestigious MedTech and HealthTech conferences.
The project builds on more than 30 years of research and patents developed with Professor Shigeo Ohta, a global leader in molecular hydrogen science and co-founder of H2 Global Group.
While the immediate focus is Alzheimer’s, potential applications extend to neurological disorders, brain regeneration, and healthy ageing.
Until now, the project has been funded primarily by Czech investors. H2 Global Group is now opening the door to US and global partners at a critical growth stage, with EU registration underway and FDA approval next on the horizon, unlocking the world’s largest healthcare market.
The global Alzheimer’s therapeutics market is projected to exceed $20 billion by 2030, with dementia-related costs already surpassing $1 trillion annually. Positioned as the only functional hydrogen-based therapy of its kind, H2 Global Group offers investors a rare first-mover advantage in one of the most urgent and lucrative markets of our time.
“This is not another experiment – it is the first technology in the world with the potential to prevent Alzheimer’s disease before it even starts, while supporting those already affected,” said David Marsalek, founder and CEO of H2 Global Group.
“Our mission is clear: to turn decades of research into real hope for millions of families around the world. We are part of a strong vision of a society where hydrogen is the molecule of life that connects the world.”
Clock.bio appoints former BioNTech executive as chief business officer
Rejuvenation biology company, clock.bio, which is developing therapies to reverse ageing and extend healthspan, has announced the appointment of Dr. Michael Boehler, former BioNTech executive, as chief business officer.
Dr. Boehler will lead the company’s business development, strategic partnerships, and commercialisation efforts, working closely with the leadership team to advance clock.bio‘s breakthrough rejuvenation biology platform.
“Michael played a central role in one of the most significant product launches in pharmaceutical history,” said Markus Gstöttner, CEO of clock.bio.
“His experience in BioNTech’s global commercial scale-up, combined with his proven ability to build partnerships, makes him uniquely suited to help clock.bio translate breakthrough science into therapies that extend healthspan.”
Dr. Boehler joins clock.bio with more than 20 years of global experience in the life sciences industry, spanning commercial, general management, and business development roles.
At BioNTech, he was instrumental in transforming the company from a clinical-stage biotech into a global pharmaceutical leader. He built the company’s global commercial organization, established BioNTech’s first integrated country organisation in Europe, and contributed to its successful IPO.
His commercial strategy and execution were critical to the vaccine’s worldwide distribution, which reached billions of people across multiple continents.
Prior to BioNTech, Dr. Boehler held senior leadership positions at Takeda, Kite Pharma, and Amgen, building deep therapeutic expertise, particularly in oncology. Most recently, he has worked as an advisor, angel investor, and board member to early-stage biotech companies.
“Rejuvenation biology is one of the most exciting frontiers in medicine,” said Dr. Michael Boehler, chief business officer of clock.bio.
“What drew me to clock.bio is its unique ability to decode the rejuvenation genome and turn those insights into meaningful interventions. I’m excited to help shape the path that brings this science from discovery toward therapies that can transform human healthspan.”
Zimmer Biomet announces new chief medical advisors to help improve standard of musculoskeletal care
Global medical technology company Zimmer Biomet Holdings has announced the appointments of Jonathan Vigdorchik, as chief medical technology advisor focused on adult reconstruction and hip implants, and Anand Murthi, as chief medical advisor, shoulder, sports, extremities, and trauma (S.E.T.).
As strategic advisors, Vigdorchik and Murthi will leverage their extensive clinical experience to help guide the company’s new product pipeline and portfolio strategy across their respective areas of focus, and enhance Zimmer Biomet’s medical education initiatives.
Dr. Vigdorchik is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeon at Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) in New York City, specialising in hip and knee replacement surgery.
Dr. Murthi is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeon who serves as Chief of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery and Director of the Shoulder and Elbow Fellowship Program at MedStar Union Memorial Hospital in Baltimore.
“These appointments reflect Zimmer Biomet’s commitment to deepening clinical collaboration and accelerating advancements across our portfolio – from implants and robotic technology to sports medicine and extremities,” said Ivan Tornos, chairman, president and CEO at Zimmer Biomet.
“We’re proud to welcome them both as strategic partners in helping to redefine the future of musculoskeletal care.”
In these roles, Drs. Vigdorchik and Murthi will assist with our medical education and surgeon engagement; advise on the Company’s technology and implant strategy and development roadmap; and serve as strategic liaisons between Zimmer Biomet and the broader surgical community.
Gut-friendly foods such as kimchi and kombucha may carry hidden risks for heart health when eaten in excess, the British Heart Foundation (BHF) has warned.
The charity said foods marketed as prebiotic, probiotic or otherwise good for the gut can support the microbiome, but some may also be high in salt or sugar, which can raise the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Products highlighted by the British Heart Foundation included kimchi, kombucha, fruit yoghurts, smoothies and sauerkraut. It said there is no harm in including them as part of a healthy diet, but advised people to check labels for added salt and sugar and eat them in moderation.
Tracy Parker, the charity’s nutrition lead, said: “We encourage everyone to choose foods that can keep their gut microbiome healthy. The benefits are clear, and we are continuing to improve our understanding of how a gut-friendly diet may help our hearts.
“A lot of these products can contain high levels of salt or sugar though, so it is important to be aware of the potential drawbacks.
“By ensuring you check package labels for added salt and sugars, and eat each in moderation, you can make sure the risks do not outweigh the benefits for your heart health.”
Fermented foods such as kimchi and sauerkraut are rich in probiotics, the healthy bacteria produced during fermentation that can help support a diverse and healthy gut microbiome.
However, both are traditionally made using a lot of salt, which can raise blood pressure if eaten frequently or in large quantities. High blood pressure is known to increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Kombucha, a fermented tea, also contains probiotics and can be a healthier alternative to fizzy drinks, but many commercial and shop-bought versions contain added sugar.
Eating too much sugar can lead to weight gain, which can increase the risk of heart attack, stroke and other cardiovascular disease.
Fruit yoghurts can contain probiotic live bacteria cultures, but may also be high in sugar and have fewer live cultures than plain versions.
The charity said plain yoghurt with live and active cultures on the label can be a lower-sugar option, with whole fruit added at home for sweetness.
Smoothies made with whole fruits provide prebiotic fibre, which feeds beneficial gut bacteria and supports digestive health.
They can also provide vitamins and antioxidants, especially when made with a variety of plant-based ingredients.
But blending breaks down the structure of fruit, releasing free sugars that behave like added sugars in the body and can cause faster rises in blood sugar levels.
Regularly consuming too much sugar can lead to weight gain, which can increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease and kidney disease.
The charity said only one 150ml serving of any smoothie counts towards five-a-day, and suggested adding nuts or seeds for extra protein and fibre to help keep blood sugar levels more stable.
The BHF also noted that some shop-bought sauerkraut is pasteurised, which removes most of the live bacteria.
It advised checking the label, eating small portions and choosing unpasteurised products for those seeking the probiotic benefits.
The charity said beneficial gut bacteria produce short-chain fatty acids during digestion, which are linked to reduced inflammation, better metabolism and better heart and circulatory health.
These good bacteria also help digest polyphenols, natural plant chemicals thought to have antioxidant properties and which may help lower blood pressure.
By contrast, harmful gut bacteria, which thrive on diets high in fat and red meat, produce chemicals that can cause problems in the heart and blood vessels by increasing inflammation and altering how cholesterol is processed in the body.
Beneficial bacteria thrive on varied diets high in prebiotics, non-digestible fibres found in foods such as wholegrains, oats, beans, lentils, bananas and onions.
People with diabetes may have undiagnosed heart failure that could be detected by a simple screening blood test, research suggests.
The TARTAN-HF trial found that one in four patients with diabetes who had at least one other risk factor for heart failure had undiagnosed heart failure detected through screening with a blood test and ultrasound scanning of the heart.
Experts said the findings show the extent of unrecognised heart failure in people with diabetes, and how the condition can be detected using a widely available blood test called NT-proBNP, which measures how much strain the heart is under.
They suggest a heart failure screening programme for diabetics could improve diagnosis rates, lead to earlier treatment and potentially reduce the risk of hospitalisation and death.
The study, involving 700 patients, was led by the University of Glasgow in collaboration with AstraZeneca, Roche Diagnostics, Us2.ai, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and NHS Lanarkshire.
Dr Kieran Docherty, clinical senior lecturer at the University of Glasgow’s School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health, said: “Our results from the landmark TARTAN-HF trial identified heart failure in a large proportion of people living with diabetes, emphasising the need for a heart failure screening strategy in this group of patients.
“We know that many of the symptoms and signs of heart failure are non-specific, and may go unrecognised as potentially being due to heart failure for a long time.
“The strategy used in our trial is simple and easy to implement in clinical practice, and will aid in the early identification of heart failure in people with diabetes, and facilitate the initiation of medications that we know improve outcomes in patients with heart failure.”
The study, which began more than three years ago, involved more than 700 people with diabetes from the two health board areas who had at least one other risk factor for heart failure.
They were randomly assigned either to receive heart failure screening or to continue with their usual care.
Researchers found screening uncovered a large number of previously unrecognised cases of heart failure. Around one in four, or 24.9 per cent, of those screened were found to have the condition within six months, compared with 1 per cent in the group continuing their usual care.
The study, involving patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, found almost all of the participants found to have heart failure had preserved ejection fraction, which can be difficult to detect without dedicated testing.
The findings of the TARTAN-HF trial were presented at the American College of Cardiology conference taking place from 28 to 30 March in New Orleans in the US.
Dr Edward Piper, medical director at AstraZeneca UK, said: “Delayed diagnosis and treatment of heart failure in people with type 2 diabetes contributes to poor long-term outcomes. TARTAN-HF demonstrates that targeted, risk-based screening can identify previously undiagnosed heart failure in approximately one in four high-risk patients with diabetes, enabling earlier intervention with guideline-directed therapy.”
Dr Christian Simon, head of global medical affairs at Roche Diagnostics, said: “We are proud to have supported the landmark TARTAN-HF trial. These findings demonstrate the transformative power of early, accessible diagnostics like the NT-proBNP blood test.
“By identifying unrecognised heart failure in people with diabetes, we enable clinicians to initiate appropriate treatments sooner, ultimately improving patient outcomes and lives.”
The UK has launched a £6.3m men’s health fund to back local projects aimed at helping men and boys live longer, healthier lives.
The Men’s Health Community Fund is a partnership between the Department of Health and Social Care, Movember and People’s Health Trust.
The government is contributing £3m, while the two charities are more than doubling that to take the total to £6.3m.
Grants will support community projects reaching underserved men and boys aged 16 and over, particularly in the most disadvantaged areas and at key points in their lives such as becoming a father, losing a job or retiring.
Projects could include support for new fathers, activities for men facing loneliness and social isolation, services to help young men engage with the health system, and support for men in work, out of work and moving into retirement.
The programme will bring together voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations to test new ways of reaching men who are least likely to use traditional health services.
An evaluation funded through the National Institute for Health and Care Research will assess what works and help inform future policy and delivery.
Health and social care secretary Wes Streeting said: “Too many men across the country are living shorter, less healthy lives, particularly those in our most disadvantaged communities.
“This new partnership will help men get the support they need in the places they feel most comfortable, their communities, among people they trust.
“By working with expert charities and local organisations, we can reach the men who are too often missed by traditional services and help them take better care of their mental and physical health.”
“It is a key step in delivering our first ever Men’s Health Strategy and driving forward our ambition to halve the gap in healthy life expectancy between the richest and poorest areas.”
The Men’s Health Strategy sets out plans to tackle the physical and mental health challenges men and boys face.
Men can be less likely to seek help and more likely to suffer in silence, while higher rates of smoking, drinking, gambling and drug use are damaging men’s health and affecting families, workplaces and communities.
The government is also investing £3.6m over the next three years in suicide prevention projects for middle-aged men in local communities across areas of England where men are most at risk, many of which are also among the most deprived. Suicide is one of the biggest killers of men under 50, and three-quarters of all suicides are men.
The projects will aim to break down barriers middle-aged men face in seeking support, including stigma around asking for help and a lack of awareness of what is available and how to access it.
They will be co-designed with experts and men with lived experience of mental health crises and suicidal thoughts.
Gut-friendly foods may damage heart, charity warns
Diabetes patients face increased risk of undiagnosed heart failure
UK government announces £6.3m fund to boost men’s health
Brain health collaboratory launches in Gulf South
