2012 · Discovery
The MPC is identified
Two independent groups, including our founding scientists in Geneva, identified the genes encoding the carrier and showed it is essential for pyruvate entry into mitochondria.1,2
Mitochondrial medicines for animal health
Healthier kidneys. Longer lives for cats.
Mitheria is developing Mito66, a new oral treatment for chronic kidney disease (CKD) in cats. It acts on the mitochondria, the energy centre of every cell, through a well-validated target: the mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC).
See our pipeline30–40%of cats over 10 have chronic kidney disease
#1recorded cause of death in cats aged 5+ in a UK study
0approved drugs that target kidney fibrosis in cats
Life is energy
Our goal is a new treatment that slows kidney disease in cats: a unique molecule, acting on a validated mitochondrial target, backed by strong science.
Mitochondria are our primary focus. Our founding scientists identified the mitochondrial pyruvate carrier in 2012, and our compounds are designed to act on this fuel switch. Feline chronic kidney disease is our first indication, with further opportunities in cats and dogs.
What makes Mitheria different
One metabolic target, upstream of kidney damage
Mito66 blocks the mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC), the cell’s fuel switch, identified in 2012 by our founding scientists. It comes from the compound library of MPC Therapeutics. In kidney disease models it:
- reduced kidney fibrosis
- slowed the decline in kidney function
- lowered inflammation
Research
The mitochondrial fuel switch: our home ground
In every cell, pyruvate can be burned inside the mitochondria or used in the cytoplasm. The mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC) controls which path it takes. Our founding scientists were among the first to identify it, and it has been our focus ever since.
Ageing biology
Mitochondria sit at the centre of ageing
Mitochondrial dysfunction and deregulated nutrient sensing are recognised hallmarks of ageing.3
Kidney
Metabolism drives kidney fibrosis
Altered energy metabolism in kidney tubule cells is linked to fibrosis,4 and tubule-specific MPC1 deletion improved resistance to kidney injury in mice.5
Regeneration
The switch controls stem cells
Redirecting pyruvate away from the mitochondria activated hair-follicle stem cells and changed intestinal stem-cell behaviour in mice.6,7
Fibrosis beyond the kidney
Liver and cornea
In a mouse model of fatty liver disease, targeting the MPC reduced liver fibrosis.8 Published work in corneal cells suggests similar antifibrotic potential in the eye.9
Ageing · emerging
Early signals of healthier ageing
In a pending patent application, University of California researchers report that older mice given an oral MPC inhibitor showed fewer visible signs of ageing.10
A field gaining momentum
From one carrier to a platform
Interest in the MPC is growing. A UCLA spin-out has taken a topical MPC inhibitor into Phase 2 clinical trials in people with hair loss,11 and the target is now studied across metabolism, regeneration and ageing.
Our partner MPC Therapeutics has built a library of more than 250 MPC compounds. Mitheria brings this science to animal health, starting with feline kidney disease.
- KidneyFeline CKD · Mito66, oral
- EyeCorneal fibrosis · Mito-21, topical
- LiverFibrosis · exploratory
- SkinAtopic dermatitis · exploratory
- AgeingHealthier, longer lives for cats and dogs · long-term
References
- Herzig S, et al. Identification and functional expression of the mitochondrial pyruvate carrier. Science 2012;337:93–96.
- Bricker DK, et al. A mitochondrial pyruvate carrier required for pyruvate uptake in yeast, Drosophila, and humans. Science 2012;337:96–100.
- López-Otín C, et al. Hallmarks of aging: an expanding universe. Cell 2023;186:243–278.
- Kang HM, et al. Defective fatty acid oxidation in renal tubular epithelial cells has a key role in kidney fibrosis development. Nat Med 2015;21:37–46.
- Rauckhorst AJ, et al. Mol Metab 2024 (tubular MPC1 deletion and acute kidney injury).
- Flores A, et al. Lactate dehydrogenase activity drives hair follicle stem cell activation. Nat Cell Biol 2017;19:1017–1026.
- Schell JC, et al. Control of intestinal stem cell function and proliferation by mitochondrial pyruvate metabolism. Nat Cell Biol 2017;19:1027–1036.
- McCommis KS, et al. Targeting the mitochondrial pyruvate carrier attenuates fibrosis in a mouse model of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Hepatology 2017;65:1543–1556.
- Jeon et al. Redox Biol 2024 (MPC in corneal fibroblasts).
- University of California. Systemic MPC inhibition to reverse signs of aging. Patent application WO2025166338, published 2025 (pending; mouse data with the research compound UK5099; not peer-reviewed).
- Pelage Pharmaceuticals, PP405 (topical MPC inhibitor). ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06393452.
References 2–8, 10 and 11 describe work by other groups; they are not Mitheria data.
Pipeline
Our therapies in development
| Programme | Indication | |
|---|---|---|
 Mito66ORAL | Feline chronic kidney disease | |
 Mito-21TOPICAL | Corneal fibrosis | |
PlatformEXPLORATORY | Liver fibrosis · Atopic dermatitis |
Built on a library of 250+ MPC compounds, for cats and dogs.
Clinical study
Mito-Felix
Our first controlled clinical study: house cats with naturally occurring kidney disease, treated at home by their owners. The study is run with an EAEVE-accredited European academic veterinary faculty. First readout expected in 2027.
- 01~50 house cats with IRIS stage 2–3 CKD
- 02Randomized 1:1, double-blind
- 03Mito66 or placebo given daily at home by owners, on top of standard care
- 04Renal function and safety readout
Under way now
Preparing for the clinic
Ongoing
Feline PK and safety study
Defines how Mito66 is absorbed and tolerated in cats, and sets the dose for Mito-Felix, using the same owner-friendly formulation.
Ongoing · proprietary
Feline CKD kidney assay
Kidney fibroblasts from cats with naturally occurring CKD, testing Mito66 directly in diseased cat tissue. Mitheria's own proprietary work; the data and rights belong to Mitheria.
Longevity
The future of longevity may be hidden in the mitochondrial fuel switch
Every cell decides how to burn its fuel, and the MPC is the switch at the centre of that choice. With age, the balance drifts. Resetting it is how we aim to protect the ageing kidney.
In a pending patent application, University of California researchers report that older mice given an oral MPC inhibitor showed fewer visible signs of ageing. Kidney disease is where we start. Better ageing is where this science leads.
Patent application WO2025166338 (pending; mouse data, not peer-reviewed). Independent work, not Mitheria data. See the evidence
- TodayFeline chronic kidney disease
- NextCorneal and liver fibrosis
- ExploringSkin and joint health
- AmbitionBetter ageing for cats and dogs
Our story
From a discovery in Geneva to medicines for animals
- 2012
The MPC is identified
Prof. Jean-Claude Martinou's laboratory at the University of Geneva identifies the mitochondrial pyruvate carrier, published in Science.
- 2018
MPC Therapeutics is founded
A University of Geneva spin-off is created to turn MPC biology into small-molecule medicines.
- 2025
Mito66 is published
MPC Therapeutics publishes Mito66 in Molecular Therapy: Oncology, and is named Best European Healthcare Startup at HWL Luxembourg.
- 2026
Mitheria brings the platform to animal health
Based in London, Mitheria Therapeutics takes MPC science into veterinary medicine, starting with feline kidney disease.
Team and advisers
Where mitochondrial science meets veterinary medicine
Chief Executive Officer · Veterinarian
Cüneyt Seckin
Cüneyt is a veterinarian with 30 years in the animal-health industry, much of it in corporate executive roles in several countries. He combines his veterinary training with deep business experience, and believes the animal-health market can grow far beyond its size today when the right conditions are in place. A strong advocate for animal welfare, and for the wellbeing of veterinarians and veterinary nurses: as Managing Director of Ceva Animal Health UK & Ireland, he sponsored the Ceva Animal Welfare Awards and introduced a dogs-at-work policy, the first in the Ceva group worldwide. Today he leads Mitheria to bring modern medicines to companion animals.
He lives in London with his family, their German Shepherd, Alisa, and Buddy, the house cat. A love of animals runs through the whole family.
Board member
Prof. Jean-Claude Martinou
A professor at the University of Geneva and a leading figure in mitochondrial biology, Jean-Claude co-discovered the mitochondrial pyruvate carrier in 2012. An EMBO member known for his work on mitochondrial dynamics, he is also Chief Scientific Officer of MPC Therapeutics.
Board member
Karen Greenwood
Karen brings animal-health regulatory and industry experience, together with strong industry and investor networks. She helps guide Mitheria's path from the laboratory to approved veterinary medicines.
Clinical collaboration
Prof. Erman Or
A professor at an EAEVE-accredited European veterinary faculty, Erman leads the clinical work for Mito-Felix, bringing hands-on experience with client-owned cats and naturally occurring disease.
We are also in contact with leading UK veterinary schools and key opinion leaders in feline kidney disease.
Partners
We work with organisations and individuals who share our passion for animal health, our professionalism in how science is done, and our integrity in how it is shared.
Shared purpose
Longer, healthier lives for animals
Every partnership starts from the same question: will this make a real difference to the animals and the people who care for them?
Professionalism
Science done properly
Controlled studies, careful data and high standards at every step, from the laboratory to the clinic.
Integrity
Openness and respect
Honest reporting of results, respect for animals and their owners, and clear agreements that protect everyone's work.
How we work together
Partnerships across the whole journey
Science
Our mitochondrial science and compound library come from MPC Therapeutics in Geneva, the team behind the discovery of the MPC.
Academic and veterinary
Research and clinical collaborations with accredited veterinary institutions and specialists who bring real-world experience of feline disease.
Industry
Animal-health companies that can take new medicines through development, registration and into veterinary practice.
Investors
Investors who understand that meaningful science takes time, and who want to build lasting value in animal health.
If you share these values, we would be glad to hear from you.
Get in touchContact
Get in touch
For scientific, clinical, partnership or investor enquiries, please get in touch.
Mitheria TherapeuticsAnimal-health company · London
London, United Kingdom