Mitotype Precision Labs (MPL) is a spinout company founded on the world-leading research of Professor Heather Mortiboys, Head of Neuroscience at the University of Sheffield.
Professor Mortiboys’ primary focus is on the role of mitochondria in neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and Motor Neuron Disease, and screening drugs to identify molecules that restore mitochondrial function in patient-derived cells.
By targeting mitochondria, Professor Mortiboys is establishing a promising path toward disease-modifying treatments that could transform how we tackle neurodegenerative disease and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.
Transforming the future of mitochondrial screening
MPL is a unique and powerful drug screening platform, led by Professor Mortiboys (CEO), alongside Toby Burgess (COO), Francesco Capriglia, and Lizzie Stephen from the Sheffield team.
Decline in mitochondrial health is at the heart of many complex diseases, and advances in mitochondrial screening are needed to find new, successful treatments. MPL meets this challenge by using real human cells and testing them for drug reactions in an ultra-small screening platform called a 1536 microplate. This world-first approach enhances the ability to conduct extensive and detailed phenotype screenings, leading to the rapid identification of a vast array of mitochondrial health markers.
As mitochondria are complex organelles, MPL measures over 100 mitochondrial parameters to understand their biology. The platform then utilises a pioneering analytical approach to integrate these measures into a single mitochondrial health score - a tool that accurately identifies potential treatments, saving time and reducing cost.
Translating research into impact
To gain deeper insight into the research powering MPL, we asked Professor Heather Mortiboys to share her expertise on the spinout's core technology, its mission to help people living with complex disorders, and the team's long-term vision for the future.
Can you describe the research that was translated into the drug screening technology offered by Mitotype Precision Labs (MPL)?
MPL’s technology is built on using patient-derived primary fibroblasts (human skin cells) and reprogrammed cells for drug discovery. Our research used these patient cells to identify several underlying problems - or 'phenotypes' - in fundamental cell functions. This includes issues with the mitochondria (the cell's batteries) and the lysosomes (the cell's waste disposal system).
The research has then been built over several years, refining methodologies in order to be able to use these patient-derived cells in a robust and reproducible way - it is critical to ensure the phenotypes and response to small molecule treatment is robust. We then developed these methods into a high-throughput system, enabling large scale screenings to be carried out, testing 10,000s of compounds in patient cells.
What is the aim of MPL?
The aim of MPL is to speed up drug discovery by putting the patient at the centre of the development process. We achieve this by giving biotech and pharma companies access to our patient-derived cell models, ensuring new drugs are tested on cells that accurately reflect human disease. This accelerates patient-centred drug discovery and the development of the right novel therapeutics. We are starting by focusing on neurodegenerative diseases, but then plan to open this up to multiple other disease areas.
Ultimately, I am driven to make a difference to people living with complex disorders. MPL accelerates patient-centred drug discovery in translatable models, speeding up translation to the clinic and patient benefit.
We’d like more researchers from the Faculty of Health to join the Commercialisation Journey. What motivated you to get involved?
I was motivated to pursue commercialisation because it offers the most effective route to rapidly translate our discoveries into broad patient benefit. It has also allowed me to learn new skills, challenge myself, and meet new people with different strengths.
I was able to develop a team from the academic lab to go on the Commercialisation Journey with me, enhancing their own skills, career development, networking and translatable skills. It is a fantastic opportunity if you are prepared for hard work and have an open mind!
What challenges have you faced and how did you overcome them?
We are still facing challenges! But some things we have faced and overcome, including being able to communicate the need for the business in a way that investors and others outside of academia could relate to. After having worked in an academic setting for so long, learning a new way of communicating things can be challenging - and it was important to find out what investors and business partners valued the most.
We also needed to develop an understanding of our commercial potential, how to interact with customers, and the regulatory standards required for running a business. Much of this was overcome by undertaking University and external training, and using our networks to test our pitches in a friendly environment.
Can you tell me about your experience of working with the Commercialisation Team?
Working with the Commercialisation Team has been very rewarding - and we have worked closely with Sue Smith and Andy Hogben. They have a lot of skills and expertise, however, they were also very open to putting us into contact with other external contacts who would benefit us. The team has worked with us to ensure we followed the process correctly, as well as providing opportunities for us to meet potential investors, and others who are going through this journey as well.
What has been MPL’s biggest milestone or success story to date, and what is your long-term vision for the spinout?
Our biggest milestone to date is launching our company - and being successful in receiving Innovate UK grant funding. We are now actively running this grant, setting up commercially with all the relevant cell lines and processes. This means we will run our first revenue project in February 2026. The long-term vision for MPL is to become the go-to Contract Research Organisation for patient-centred drug discovery across multiple disease areas.
What would you say to someone who is considering commercialising their research?
It’s hard work with lots of ups and downs, but its potential to rapidly accelerate real world impact makes it absolutely worth it! It is a lot of fun, you learn a lot of new skills and meet fantastic new people.
To find out more about the Commercialisation Journey, visit their website or contact the team directly at commercialisationteam@sheffield.ac.uk.