TORONTO, ON — April 2025 — The University of Toronto and partner institutions have received a landmark $23.8 million New Frontiers in Research Fund – Transformation (NFRF-T) grant to pioneer mitochondrial transplantation therapy, an emerging field that could redefine how the world treats organ failure, chronic inflammation, and degenerative diseases.

The project, titled MitoRevolution: Mitochondrial Transplantation Transforming Regenerative Medicine — from research to patient care to global impact, is led by Dr. Ana Andreazza, Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology at U of T’s Temerty Faculty of Medicine and founder & scientific director of the Mitochondrial Innovation Initiative (MITO2i). Mitochondria — the energy-producing structures within cells — play a critical role in cellular health and function. Dysfunction in these tiny powerhouses underlies a wide range of acute and chronic diseases. The MitoRevolution team is developing a therapeutic approach that delivers healthy mitochondria directly into damaged cells, offering new hope for regeneration and recovery where conventional medicine has fallen short.

“We believe mitochondrial transplantation will reshape the landscape of regenerative medicine,” says Dr. Andreazza. “This isn’t about managing disease. It’s about restoring life at its most fundamental level — and ensuring that this breakthrough reaches everyone.”

The MitoRevolution project brings together a world-class interdisciplinary team committed to transforming regenerative medicine through mitochondrial transplantation. Drs. Ana Andreazza & Frank Gu leads the advancement of novel mitochondrial transplant techniques with the integration of AI-driven delivery technologies and materials engineering to create scalable, clinically viable systems. Drs. Milica Radisic & Sowmya Viswanathan directs efforts to validate safety and efficacy through sophisticated organ-on-a-chip platforms and animal models. Drs. Ori Rotstein & Marcelo Cypel, oversees the translation of this therapy into clinical trials targeting multiple organ systems, while Dr. Mikaela Gabriel along with community partners, like MitoCanada foundation, leads the development of Indigenous health integration, ethical, inclusive, and scalable models for equitable patient care for diverse global populations.

The implications of this work extend far beyond the laboratory, promising to reshape the future of medicine. It offers the opportunity to significantly reduce inflammation and improve quality of life for patients with both acute and chronic conditions. In the context of organ transplantation, this work could dramatically extend the viability of donor organs, reduce rates of rejection, and expand the transplant pool — offering hope to patients who previously had limited options.

This vision was launched by bringing together researchers with an interest in mitochondria transplantation through a co-partnership Medicine by Design and MITO2i and support from key partners like Unity Health Toronto, University Health Network and the Ajmera Transplant Centre, this work exemplifies what’s possible when bold science meets deep collaboration and determination.

“This is a paradigm shift,” said Dr. Andreazza. “We are not just treating symptoms — we are restoring energy at the source, giving cells the ability to heal.”

To learn more about the Mito Revolution please visit https://www.mitoinnovation.com

From left to right: Erika Beroncal, Sonya Brijbassi, Ori Rotstein, Mikaela Gabriel, Ana Andreazza, Sowmya Viswanathan, Milica Radsic, Frank Gu.