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.