MitoQ

Introduction to Our Platform TechnologyMitochondria, present in all cells, provide energy for life processes. It is now recognized that mitochondrial dysfunction plays a role in the pathogenesis of several degenerative disorders. Antioxidants are the body's defense against free radicals. Antioxidants block the effects of oxidation, a chemical reaction that combines single electrons with oxygen to generate free radicals, which can attack and destroy cells.

Antipodean's proprietary targeted lipophilic cation technology prevents oxidative damage by concentrating antioxidants in mitochondria. MitoQ^® is targeted to mitochondria by covalent attachment to a lipophilic triphenylphosphonium cation. Because of the large mitochondria membrane potential, the cations accumulate within cellular mitochondria up to 1,000 fold, compared to non-targeted antioxidants such as Coenzyme Q or its analogues.  This accumulation enables the antioxidant moiety to block lipid peroxidation, and maintain the integrity of the mitochondria membrane by protecting it from oxidative damage.

Antipodean's lead compound MitoQ^® (mitoquinone) is a mitochondria-targeted antioxidant that selectively blocks mitochondrial oxidative damage and prevents cell death. Mitochondrial dysfunction underlies a wide range of degenerative diseases, in which oxidative stress plays a key pathogenic role, including such diseases as NASH, Type 2 diabetes, ischemic heart disease, among others. Therefore, protecting mitochondria from oxidative damage is a promising and innovative therapeutic strategy.

 

The lipophilic cation is accumulated 5- to 10- fold into the cytoplasm from the extracellular space by the plasma membrane potential and then further accumulated 100- to 500- fold into the mitochondrial matrix by the mitochondrial membrane potential.

MitoQ^® is being evaluated as an oral treatment for liver inflammation that leads to fibrosis and is associated with metabolic dysfunction.  The company is also investigating topical indications that involve mitochondrial dysfunction, including dermatologic applications and retinal degeneration.