GENEVA, Switzerland, December 16, 2025 / Biotech Newswire / -- In a heartfelt tribute that has evolved into a lasting legacy, The POLG Foundation—with the generous support of the Rada Zocco Foundation —has launched the Superhero Award 2025. This initiative was originally inspired by a simple goal: to create a meaningful birthday present for Frederik de Nassau, our "POLG Superhero" who co-founded the foundation with his parents, Julie and Robert.
While we deeply wish Frederik could have received this gift, his passing has transformed it into a profound mission. The Superhero Award is now the first dedicated step to continue, consolidate, and honor his vision. Frederik has left us with a clear charge: to deliver for POLG patients.
Answering that call, and thanks to the Rada Zocco Foundation and its generous donors, we are thrilled to be able to support the following five pioneering projects:
- POLG Patients in Crisis – Collating Medical Knowledge and Creating Resources to Achieve Improvement in Patient Outcomes, Creating a POLG Crisis Response Database Dr Amy Goldstein (Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, USA) and Dr Mary Kay Koenig (University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Houston, USA)
This project will create a POLG Crisis Response Database, a resource from the pooled latest knowledge of medical experts caring for POLG patients, available to all physicians to assist in the acute care of POLG patients during a mitochondrial crisis.
- Genetic repair of POLG-related disease Dr Sabine Fuchs, UMCU, Utrecht, The Netherlands
This project will develop in vivo gene editing platform to repair the POLG-mutations as the first potentially curative treatment of POLG-related disease. To do so, prime and base editing technologies will be developed and optimized – revolutionary new gene editing tools – to efficiently repair mutations in the POLG gene. The aim is to deliver the first in vivo proof of concept of a disease modifying therapy that directly corrects the root cause of POLG-related disease.
- Saving Neurons, Changing Lives: Tackling POLG-Driven Parkinson’s in an Aging World Dr Carolyn Sue, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
This project addresses the critical connection between POLG mutations, mitochondrial dysfunction, and Parkinson’s disease in the aging population. By creating dopaminergic neurons derived from patients with POLG mutations, we will investigate how mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to neurodegeneration, and will be seeking drugs that protect mitochondria to prevent cell death and preserve neuron (brain) function. The ultimate goal is to identify treatments that protect individuals with POLG mutations from developing Parkinson’s disease as they age.
- An Ex Vivo Human mtDNA Myopathy Model to Develop Therapies Dr Carlos Moraes, University of Miami, Miami, FL., USA
POLG mutations cause mtDNA depletion and deletions in various tissues of the patients. These downstream mtDNA defects impair mitochondria and tissue function, leading to the disease state. One of the most affected tissues in POLG patients is skeletal muscle, presenting with myopathy, weakness, exercise intolerance, progressive ophthalmoplegia and some cases of dysphagia. Presently, there are no models where therapeutic approaches to improve the muscle dysfunction associated with mtDNA depletion and deletions could be tested. The goal of this project is to develop a robust human muscle model with mtDNA defects where therapeutic approaches could be tested for improvements in muscle function.
- Scientific communication package for HCP, patients and families. Karger Publishers, Basel, Switzerland
This project aims to create a comprehensive resource panel for HCP, and for patients and families affected by POLG disease. It will provide key insights from both research & development and patient perspectives to educate the entire community. The panel includes a concise Clinical Reference Guide (can be found here: https://karger.com/DocumentLibrary/HC025-POLG-Foundation-FFSummarySheet_2025-10-27.pdf) and a series of three video interviews featuring leading researchers, clinicians, and a patient advocate.
These projects are a further cornerstone activity that will increase the voice and the impact for POLG patients.
If you would like to join us in this transformational journey, please donate: https://polgfoundation.kindful.com/
Semantic keywords: Awards and Prizes; Switzerland; Organizations, Nonprofit; Rada Zocco Foundation; POLG Foundation; Superhero Award 2025; Frederik de Nassau; Julie de Nassau; Robert de Nassau; POLG related disorders; mitochondrial crisis; genetic repair; in vivo gene editing; POLG mutations; prime editing; gene editing tools; disease modifying therapy; mitochondrial dysfunction; Parkinson’s disease; cell death; mtDNA myopathy
About the Rada Zocco Foundation
The Rada Zocco Foundation is a non-profit organization that supports projects with grants in the areas of education, culture and the arts, bio-science research, environment, and nature protection.
About The POLG Foundation
The POLG Foundation is a global non-profit organization dedicated to supporting research, building community, and empowering patients and families affected by POLG-related disorders. Our mission is to accelerate the path to treatments and a cure through education, advocacy, and funding innovative science. Learn more at
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Source: Biotech Newswire