Mitochon Pharmaceuticals: Channeling the Ability of Mitochondria to Create Resilient, Protective Cells in Neurodegeneration and Aging
April 4, 2023
The thesis of Mitochon’s approach is that if you bolster mitochondrial health through a mechanism known as mitochondrial uncoupling, meaningful pro-survival benefits occur and brain cells are protected from damaging disease processes.
Dr. John G. Geisler’s post-doctoral work at Pfizer and Yale University in metabolic disease, taught him that there are master switches (proteins to target with medicines) that can have a profound effect on disease progression. This knowledge became the theme of his subsequent work in drug discovery working at the roots of problems. By removing fat from the liver and muscle cells that cause insulin resistance, the aim was to wean individuals off the insulin and cure their diabetes.
About Mitochon Pharmaceuticals
Mitochon was founded in 2014 with the mission to develop treatments for insidious diseases through the modulation of mitochondrial physiology, with applications to neurodegeneration, neuromuscular, and developmental diseases. Mitochon’s lead programs, MP101 and MP201, specifically harnesses the power of the mitochondria to provide broad neural protection. These compounds elicit mild increases in energy expenditure that result in strengthening cellular survival—similar to the positive effects seen with fasting and exercise. These compounds also induce an important neurotrophin, Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), involved in cognition and neural growth. Mitochon is supported by Ben Franklin Technology Partners Southeastern PA, an initiative of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development funded by the Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority.