HAIFA, Israel, Aug. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Minovia Therapeutics Ltd. (“Minovia” or the “Company”), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing novel therapies to treat mitochondrial diseases and combat age-related decline, announces that it has been chosen to receive a $350,000 grant from Countdown for a Cure for a research proposal related to the development of novel mitochondrial blood-based biomarkers.
Minovia Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Noa Sher, commented, “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. 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.”
In addition to the novel MAT-based mitochondrial therapies under development, Minovia has set dual goals of developing biomarkers to quantify mitochondrial content, quality and function and of using these biomarkers to determine mitochondrial scores in healthy individuals relative to mitochondrial disease patients. For this reason, Minovia opened a clinical trial in Sheba Medical Center to collect blood samples from both healthy volunteers and patients suffering from mitochondrial diseases. The Countdown for a Cure grant will fund clinical operations for blood sample collection from approximately 30 patients with primary mitochondrial diseases, and 140 samples from healthy controls. The samples collected will be analyzed in Minovia’s labs with its newly developed biomarkers, and a “MitoScore” will be determined for each sample. In addition, the Countdown for a Cure funding will support the development of new biomarkers using novel research tools.
Mitochondrial dysfunction is known to occur in rare genetic mitochondrial diseases, as well as in chronic and age-related diseases. There is a profound unmet need for treatment of these devastating diseases, 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.
The Company also recently announced entry into a definitive business combination agreement (the “Business Combination Agreement”) with Launch One Acquisition Corp. (Nasdaq: LPAA, “Launch One”), a publicly traded special purpose acquisition company. Following the expected closing of the transaction contemplated by this Business Combination Agreement (the "Business Combination"), projected for late 2025, the combined company will operate as Minovia Therapeutics and trade on Nasdaq under a new ticker symbol.
About Minovia Therapeutics
Minovia Therapeutics, chaired by John Cox, is a clinical-state biotechnology company working on treatments to replace dead or defective mitochondria with new healthy mitochondria, helping people with mitochondrial diseases and fighting aging. Its main drug product, MNV-201, is already being tested for Pearson Syndrome and Myelodysplastic Syndrome. Minovia is also developing ways to help people live longer, healthier lives. Based in Haifa, Israel, where it operates a GMP facility for mitochondrial drug substance and drug product manufacturing for clinical trials related to its therapy, Minovia is planning to expand to the U.S. For more information, visit www.minoviatx.com.
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. Mitzi and Jeff are driven by an unwavering commitment to supporting families, accelerating research, and uniting a community determined to make a tangible difference in the lives of those affected by mitochondrial disease and all diseases connected to mitochondrial dysfunction.
About Launch One Acquisition Corp.
Launch One Acquisition Corp. is a company set up to merge with and take public an exciting business in healthcare or technology. Listed on Nasdaq under the ticker LPAA, Launch One is led by experienced leaders who want to support game-changing solutions. For more information, contact Jurgen van de Vyver at jurgen@launchpad.vc.
Additional Information and Where to Find It
In connection with the Business Combination and the Business Combination Agreement, among Launch One, Minovia and Mito US One Ltd., a newly formed Israeli company limited by shares (“Pubco”), and certain other parties named therein. Launch One and Minovia intend to file relevant materials with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including a Registration Statement on Form F-4 of Pubco (the "Registration Statement"), which will include a proxy statement/prospectus of Launch One, and will file other documents regarding the proposed Business Combination with the SEC. This communication is not intended to be, and is not, a substitute for the proxy statement/prospectus or any other document that Launch One has filed or may file with the SEC in connection with the proposed Business Combination. The Registration Statement has not been filed or declared effective by the SEC. Following such filing and upon such declaration of effectiveness, the definitive proxy statement/prospectus contained within the Registration Statement and other relevant materials for the proposed Business Combination will be mailed or made available to stockholders of Launch One as of a record date to be established for voting on the proposed Business Combination.
Before making any voting or investment decision, investors and stockholders of Launch One are urged to carefully read, when they become available, the entire Registration Statement, the proxy statement/prospectus, and any other relevant documents filed with the SEC, as well as any amendments or supplements to these documents, and the documents incorporated by reference therein, because they will contain important information about Launch One, Minovia, Pubco and the proposed Business Combination. Launch One’s investors and stockholders and other interested persons will also be able to obtain copies of the Registration Statement, the preliminary proxy statement/prospectus, the definitive proxy statement/prospectus, other documents filed with the SEC that will be incorporated by reference therein, and all other relevant documents filed with the SEC by Launch One and/or Pubco in connection with the Business Combination, without charge, once available, at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov, or by directing a request to Launch One or Minovia at the addresses set forth below.
Participants In the Solicitation
Launch One, Minovia, Pubco and their respective directors, executive officers, other members of management and employees may be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies from Launch One’s stockholders with respect to the Business Combination. Investors and security holders may obtain more detailed information regarding the names, and interests in the Business Combination, of Launch One’s directors and officers in Pubco's and Launch One’s filings with the SEC, including, when filed with the SEC, the preliminary proxy statement/prospectus, the definitive proxy statement/prospectus, amendments and supplements thereto, and other documents filed with the SEC. Such information with respect to Minovia’s directors and executive officers will also be included in the proxy statement/prospectus. You may obtain free copies of these documents as described above under the heading "Additional Information and Where to Find It."
Non-Solicitation
This press release is not a proxy statement or solicitation of a proxy, consent or authorization with respect to any securities or in respect of the potential transaction and shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the securities of Launch One, Pubco, or Minovia, nor shall there be any sale of any such securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such state or jurisdiction. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
