Huntington Beach, California — April 20, 2026 — Lionheart Health, Inc., a leader in bioelectric regenerative medicine and healthspan optimization, today announced the launch of a new Telomere & Mitochondrial Health Sub Study as an optional satellite arm to its currently enrolling IRB approved Lionheart Klotho-Up™ Study.
The expansion adds two of the most critical pillars of aging biology—telomere integrity and mitochondrial function—to Lionheart’s multi-system clinical research platform, which already tracks over 461 biomarkers alongside muscle, brain, immune, and vascular outcomes including circulating klotho levels.
A Next Step Toward Measuring True Biological Aging
The new substudy is designed to evaluate whether Lionheart’s Klotho-focused interventions—including bioele
Telomere stabilization (slower shortening or maintenance of telomere length)
Improved telomerase activity
Enhanced mitochondrial function and energy metabolism
Correlation of these changes with circulating Klotho levels and functional health outcomes
“This is a major step forward,” said Howard J. Leonhardt, Executive Chairman & co-CEO of Lionheart Health.
“We are now directly measuring whether our platform impacts the core biological drivers of aging—telomeres and mitochondria—while continuing to demonstrate improvements in muscle, brain, and immune function.”
Study Design Overview
The Telomere & Mitochondrial Sub-study will enroll participants within the Lionheart Klotho-Up™ program and follow them over 12 months, with assessments at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months.
Key measurements include:
Telomere Biology
Leukocyte/PBMC telomere length (qPCR; Flow-FISH validation subset)
Telomerase activity (TRAP assay)
Mitochondrial Health
Mitochondrial DNA copy number
ATP production capacity
Oxidative stress markers
Metabolic efficiency indicators
Core Correlative Biomarkers
Circulating Klotho (Jinfiniti platform)
Inflammatory markers (hs-CRP, IL-6, TNF-α)
Comprehensive 460-biomarker panel (Generation Lab)
Functional Outcomes
Grip strength
Gait speed
6-minute walk
Cognitive and mood assessments
Targeting Upstream Drivers of Aging
Rather than directly manipulating telomeres, Lionheart’s approach focuses on upstream biological control systems, including:
Klotho signaling pathways
Mitochondrial efficiency and resilience
Inflammation reduction
Stem cell and regenerative signaling
This systems-level strategy is designed to create a cellular environment that supports long-term maintenance of genomic stability and cellular energy production.
Strategic Importance
The addition of telomere and mitochondrial endpoints strengthens Lionheart’s position in the XPRIZE Healthspan competition and enhances its clinical dataset for future regulatory, partnership, and investor initiatives.
“This optional satellite arm allows us to connect molecular aging markers with real-world functional improvements,” said Dr. Leslie Miller, Chief Medical Offier of Lionheart Health.
“It’s about demonstrating not just that people feel better—but that their biology is improving at a foundational level.”
About the Klotho-Up™ Study
The Lionheart Klotho-Up™ Study is an IRB-oriented, multi-site observational registry evaluating the impact of Klotho-enhancing interventions on aging-related decline. The study includes:
Over 1,000 + patients treated with and without proprietary bioelectric protein expression signaling protocols across multiple indications in partnership with partner providers (electrical stimulation, supplements, metabolic meals, peptides).
Integration of hybrid in-clinic and at-home protocols
Measurement of muscle, brain, immune, and metabolic health
- Longitudinal tracking of biological aging markers led by klotho
About Lionheart Health
- Bioelectric stimulation technologies
- Advanced biologic delivery systems
- Clinic licensing and at-home programs
Lionheart Health has amassed 500+ patent claims issued, pending, or licensed and has treated over 1,000 patients across multiple indications working with provider partners.
Forward-Looking Statement and Disclaimers
This release contains forward-looking statements regarding investigational research and potential biological effects. The Telomere & Mitochondrial Substudy is exploratory and not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. Outcomes are subject to ongoing clinical evaluation. Patents mentioned may be invalidated. Patents pending may not be issue. Early data may not translate to commercial or widespread clinical success.