Combining Bioelectric Protein Expression™, Klotho Activation, and Precision Neuromodulation to Address Chronic Pain at Its Source
HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif., May 31, 2026 — Lionheart Health, Inc. today announced the launch of PainStim™, a next-generation regenerative pain management platform designed to compete directly with traditional peripheral nerve stimulation systems by combining precision bioelectric stimulation with Lionheart’s growing portfolio of protein expression technologies.
Unlike conventional pain therapies that primarily seek to block pain signals, PainStim™ is designed to help restore healthier tissue function by leveraging Lionheart’s patented Bioelectric Protein Expression™ technology to increase the body’s production of key regenerative proteins associated with pain reduction, nerve repair, inflammation control, tissue healing, and healthy aging.
Emerging scientific literature suggests potential biological connections among Klotho, Sonic Hedgehog (Shh), IGF-1, Apelin, LIM-domain muscle proteins, and pain-related pathways. Klotho has been associated with healthy aging, neuroprotection, and modulation of IGF-1 signaling. Sonic Hedgehog signaling has been implicated in nerve regeneration and tissue repair. IGF-1 plays important roles in muscle maintenance, nerve health, and recovery from injury. Apelin has been studied for its effects on vascular function, inflammation, muscle regeneration, and pain modulation. LIM-domain proteins, including those involved in muscle structure and mechanotransduction, may influence muscle adaptation, repair, and musculoskeletal pain responses. Together, these pathways may interact in regulating tissue regeneration, inflammation, circulation, neuromuscular function, and recovery following injury, although the precise relationships remain an active area of research.
PainStim™ incorporates targeted bioelectric stimulation protocols intended to enhance expression of Klotho, Sirtuins, Sestrins, eNOS, BDNF, SDF-1, PDGF, Apelin, Sonic Hedgehog, GDF10, and other proteins that may play important roles in nerve regeneration, musculoskeletal recovery, and chronic pain reduction.
“Most pain technologies focus on suppressing symptoms,” said Howard J. Leonhardt, Executive Chairman and Co-CEO of Lionheart Health. “PainStim™ is designed to help the body repair itself by activating regenerative pathways that can improve nerve health, reduce inflammation, enhance circulation, and support tissue recovery.”
The PainStim™ platform is being developed for a wide range of pain conditions including:
• Chronic low back pain
• Knee osteoarthritis pain
• Neck pain
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Post-surgical pain
• Shoulder pain
• Sports injuries
• Nerve trauma
• Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)
• Post-amputation pain
• Chronic musculoskeletal pain
KEY DIFFERENTIATORS OF PAINSTIM™
• Non-opioid therapy platform
• No permanent implant required for most applications
• Bioelectric activation of regenerative proteins
• Potential combination with PRF, stromal fraction, exosomes, stem cells, and peptide therapies
• AI-assisted treatment planning through future PainStimAI™ software platform
• Designed for clinic and home-based use
• Focus on both pain reduction and tissue regeneration
Lionheart plans to integrate PainStim™ with its broader regenerative medicine ecosystem, including Klotho-Up™, BodStim™, OrthoStim™, NerveStim™, and Brain Band™ technologies.
The company believes that future pain care will move beyond simply masking symptoms and toward activating the body’s natural repair systems.
“PainStim™ represents our vision for regenerative pain medicine,” added Leonhardt. “The future belongs to therapies that not only reduce pain but help patients heal.”
Lionheart Health expects to initiate additional clinical studies evaluating PainStim™ protocols across orthopedic, neurologic, sports medicine, and longevity medicine applications beginning in 2026.
About Lionheart Health
Lionheart Health, Inc. is a healthspan and regenerative medicine company developing bioelectric stimulation, protein expression, enhanced biologics, and longevity technologies focused on improving muscle, brain, immunity, orthopedic, vascular, aesthetic, and sexual health outcomes. The company is a Top 40 XPRIZE Healthspan Semi-Finalist and is advancing multiple clinical programs designed to extend healthy human lifespan.
Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains forward-looking statements regarding technologies under development. PainStim™ has not been cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for claims related to increasing expression of specific proteins, tissue regeneration, or treatment of specific diseases unless specifically indicated. Clinical studies are ongoing and future results may differ from expectations.