Elamipretide can improve mitochondrial, skeletal muscle function in seniors

Stealth BioTherapeutics, when conducting the MOTION trial, have found that the delivery of elamipretide improves mitochondrial and skeletal muscle function in senior patients.

MOTION, a phase 2 trail, included patients between 60 and 85 years old with low mitochondrial function. It tested the effect of elamipretide on skeletal muscle energetics and function. The elamipretide treatment group experienced a 30 percent increase in mitochondrial energy, equal to six months of exercise training, while the control group had a 10 percent increase. The elamipretide group also had improved skeletal muscle function and did not experience negative treatment effects.

"Fatigue and exercise intolerance are commonly experienced by elderly patients. This is especially prominent in certain disease states such as heart failure. In both cases dysfunctional mitochondria and reduced bioenergetics appear to be centrally involved," said Kevin Conley, PhD, trial investigator and professor at the Translational Center for Metabolic Imaging at University of Washington. "It is apparent that treatment with elamipretide significantly improved energy production in this patient set. This change is comparable to the improvement seen in my previous studies of endurance training, exercising three times a week for six months, providing hope for patients and their potential for improved muscle function."

"The encouraging findings in the MOTION trial indicate that muscle function can be improved by restoring bioenergetics," said Stealth's CEO Reenie McCarthy. "Our ongoing trials in heart failure and other diseases of aging support the potential for treating mitochondrial dysfunction with elamipretide."