IRVINE, California — July 28, 2026 — Lionheart Health, Inc. today announced the launch of new clinical and translational research evaluating hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) as part of the company’s expanding Klotho-Up™ Protocol, a comprehensive multimodality program designed to improve muscle health, cognitive performance, immune function, and overall healthy longevity.
The new research will investigate whether combining targeted bioelectric stimulation with nutrition, exercise, regenerative biologics, red light therapy, PEMF, and other components of the Klotho-Up™ Protocol can optimize endogenous HGF activity and support healthy muscle regeneration during aging.
Building on Earlier Leonhardt Ventures Patents
The HGF studies build upon previously issued Leonhardt Ventures patents covering the bioelectric stimulation of regenerative proteins, including Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF), through targeted electrical stimulation.
These foundational patents describe systems and methods for bioelectrically stimulating the body’s production and activity of regenerative proteins—including HGF—for applications involving muscle repair, tissue regeneration, cardiovascular health, wound healing, and other regenerative medicine applications.
Rather than announcing a new HGF invention, the company is expanding research into new clinical applications of HGF, particularly its potential role in healthy muscle aging and preservation of mobility as part of the Klotho-Up™ platform.
Emerging Scientific Support
Recent research from Kyushu University (Japan) has strengthened interest in HGF biology.
Scientists reported that lipoic acid trisulfide (LAS³) enhanced the activity of HGF while protecting it from age-related nitration, a chemical modification that reduces the protein’s ability to activate muscle satellite cells responsible for muscle repair.
These findings further support investigating strategies that preserve or enhance endogenous HGF activity during aging.
HGF and Healthy Aging
HGF is recognized as one of the body’s most important regenerative signaling proteins. It activates muscle satellite cells that repair damaged skeletal muscle and contributes to tissue regeneration throughout the body.
As people age, HGF activity may decline because of oxidative and chemical modifications, reducing the body’s natural capacity for muscle repair.
Lionheart Health’s new studies will evaluate whether targeted bioelectric stimulation, together with the company’s multimodality longevity interventions, may help optimize HGF signaling while simultaneously supporting other regenerative pathways.
Multi-Protein Regenerative Strategy
The Klotho-Up™ Protocol is designed to support multiple regenerative pathways simultaneously rather than focusing on a single biological target.
Research programs currently include proteins and pathways such as:
- Klotho
- Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF)
- PF4
- BDNF
- SIRT6
- GDF10
- Osteocalcin
- Follistatin
- VEGF
- eNOS
- Additional regenerative proteins under investigation
Lionheart Health believes that coordinated optimization of multiple endogenous regenerative pathways may provide greater potential for supporting healthy aging than approaches focused on a single protein.
Research Objectives
The new HGF studies will explore potential applications including:
- Healthy muscle aging
- Sarcopenia
- Frailty prevention
- Exercise recovery
- Rehabilitation following orthopedic procedures
- Sports medicine
- Muscle preservation during weight-loss programs
- Comprehensive health optimization and longevity
The studies are intended to generate additional scientific data to guide future clinical development. The company cautions that the technologies remain under investigation and have not been established as safe or effective for the diagnosis, treatment, cure, or prevention of disease.
“We have recognized the importance of hepatocyte growth factor for many years and incorporated HGF into our earlier bioelectric medicine patent portfolio,” said Howard J. Leonhardt, Founder of Leonhardt Ventures LLC and Executive Chairman & Co-CEO of Lionheart Health. “The exciting new discoveries emerging from leading academic laboratories reinforce our decision to further investigate HGF as part of our broader Klotho-Up™ strategy for healthy longevity. We believe the future lies in safely encouraging the body to optimize its own regenerative biology through precision bioelectric medicine combined with lifestyle and regenerative therapies.”
About Lionheart Health
Lionheart Health develops bioelectric medicine technologies, regenerative therapies, and multimodality health optimization programs designed to improve healthy longevity. The company’s Klotho-Up™ platform combines targeted bioelectric stimulation with evidence-informed lifestyle, regenerative, and precision medicine interventions to support the body’s natural repair mechanisms.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding research, product development, clinical investigations, and potential future therapeutic applications. The studies described are investigational. No conclusions regarding safety or effectiveness can be made until additional preclinical and clinical research has been completed.