A research group from Kyushu University's Institute for Materials Chemistry and Engineering, Tohoku University's Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials, Kyushu University Hospital, and Kyoto University's Institute for Life and Medical Sciences developed the world's first nucleic acid prodrug to address age-related mitochondrial dysfunction and ATP production challenges.

Key achievements:

1. Developed world's first nucleic acid prodrug
2. Increased ATP concentration in human skin cells by up to approximately 3-fold
3. Extended lifespan of C. elegans by 24%

This research proposes bioenergetic molecular therapy to improve energy metabolism imbalance through mitochondrial activation.