Bitrobius Genetics and the University of Cambridge secure a £700k ARIA grant to develop mitochondrial gene delivery technologies

Macclesfield, UK, 14th September 2026 – Bitrobius Genetics Ltd, a pioneering genetic medicines company, has been awarded a grant of £700k ($940k) from the UK’s Advanced Research + Invention Agency (ARIA), to enable its core technology to be applied to genetic modification of mitochondria in a collaboration with the Medical Research Council Mitochondrial Biology Unit (MRC MBU) of the University of Cambridge.

Most genetic diseases are caused by mutations in genes - most commonly in the nucleus of cells. Gene therapy treats these diseases by delivering a functional copy of the affected gene. However, mitochondria - tiny structures within our cells that generate much of the energy needed for life -also contain their own small genome. Mutations in this mitochondrial DNA cause a range of severe inherited diseases for which treatment options remain extremely limited. Delivering DNA into mitochondria remains a major unsolved challenge because their double membrane forms a significant barrier. Overcoming this barrier could have far-reaching implications, as mitochondrial dysfunction is associated not only with inherited mitochondrial diseases but also with major health challenges including neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, cancer, diabetes and ageing.

Bitrobius Genetics is developing Gentrafix™, a unique platform technology that aims to use plasmid DNA to replicate within human cells and then travel to adjacent cells, thus spreading the therapy efficiently throughout affected cells. This contrasts with current gene therapy approaches, which are only able to treat a small proportion of affected cells. The new ARIA grant will enable Bitrobius to broaden the application of Gentrafix™ to solve the problem of gene delivery to mitochondria, by delivering it across a double mitochondrial membrane using a proprietary DNA-secreting pore.

“We are excited to receive the funding to apply our groundbreaking technology to the ambitious challenge of DNA delivery to mitochondria, thanks to the support of ARIA and the Mitochondrial Biology Unit at the University of Cambridge.” said Dr Rocky Cranenburgh, CEO and Founder of Bitrobius Genetics.

Michal Minczuk, Professor of Mitochondrial Genetics at the University of Cambridge, commented: “We are excited to combine Bitrobius’ innovative technology with our expertise in mitochondrial genetics to tackle one of the field’s most longstanding challenges: delivering DNA into mitochondria”.