The company founded to develop mitochondrial-derived peptides, what it tried, and where it ended

Published 26 October 2026 · REVIVE LAB UAE Research Desk · 5 min read
CohBar was founded in 2009 by Pinchas Cohen, Nir Barzilai and colleagues, with academic roots in the laboratories that discovered humanin and MOTS-c, to turn mitochondrial-derived peptides into medicines. It listed publicly in 2015, built a pipeline of modified peptides for metabolic and fibrotic diseases, and took CB4211, a MOTS-c analogue, through phase 1a and 1b studies between 2019 and 2021. The programme did not advance to phase 2, later candidates stayed preclinical, and in 2023 the company merged with an unrelated business and left the field. Its patents on the peptides and their analogues remain.

The thesis

That the mitochondrial genome encodes a family of regulatory peptides whose decline with age contributes to metabolic and degenerative disease, and that stabilised analogues could restore the signals. Humanin and MOTS-c were the lead biology; the company screened the mitochondrial genome for further frames and claimed to have found more. It was the only company built on this thesis.

The founders are the scientists who proposed the biology, which is a common pattern in biotechnology and a known source of optimism bias.

What was achieved

One analogue in humans, with safety and small sponsor-reported efficacy signals. A patent estate. A decade of visibility for the field. No approved product, no phase 2, and no published peer-reviewed clinical data. The commercial record therefore adds little to the scientific record beyond the phase 1.

The outcome is typical of first companies in a new biological area.

Why it is here

Because the commercial history is part of how a reader should weigh the field: the one organised attempt to develop the biology did not reach proof of concept. It describes a company and no use of the pack.

MOTS-c is supplied by REVIVE LAB UAE for laboratory research use only, with identity by mass spectrometry and purity by HPLC for the batch. It is not for human or veterinary use, and no dosing, administration or protocol guidance is provided.

What it costs

FormatStrengthPriceAvailability
MOTS-c Pack40 mgAED 950In stock

Delivery is AED 40 flat and free on orders over AED 700. Payment is cash on delivery anywhere in the UAE, or USDT (TRC20) in advance, which takes 5% off the order total.

Frequently asked

The thesis?

That the mitochondrial genome encodes a family of regulatory peptides whose decline with age contributes to metabolic and degenerative disease, and that stabilised analogues could restore the signals. Humanin and MOTS-c were the lead biology; the company screened the mitochondrial genome for further frames and claimed to have found more. It was the only company built on this thesis.

Does REVIVE LAB UAE provide dosing guidance?

No. REVIVE LAB UAE supplies research materials and provides no dosing, administration or protocol guidance of any kind. Every product is sold for laboratory research use only and is not for human or veterinary consumption.

How fast is delivery in the UAE?

Stock is held in Dubai. An order confirmed before 4 PM Dubai time is dispatched the same working day, reaching Dubai and Abu Dhabi the same day and the remaining emirates within 24 hours. Delivery is AED 40 flat and free over AED 700.

MOTS-c Pack — in stock, dispatched from Dubai
HPLC-verified, lot certificate on every carton, 24-hour delivery nationwide. Browse the catalogue → All peptides UAE

Related reading

Supplied for laboratory research use only. Not for human or veterinary consumption. REVIVE LAB UAE provides no dosing, administration or protocol guidance.