N2OFF: MitoCareX Bio Announces Positive In Vitro Results from Its Mitochondrial Carrier Small Molecule Platform

Rhea-AI Summary

N2OFF (NASDAQ: NITO) subsidiary MitoCareX Bio reported preliminary in vitro data (Jan 22, 2026) showing selected MITOLINE™‑derived small‑molecule candidates reduce key pro‑inflammatory markers in human immune cells. The results support further in vivo validation and lead optimization across inflammatory metabolic disease indications. MITOLINE™ creates 3D comparative models of mitochondrial carriers to enable virtual screening. Management plans to advance lead candidates toward pre‑clinical studies.

News Market Reaction

+9.70% 332.3x vol

14 alerts

+9.70% News Effect

+43.1% Peak Tracked

-29.9% Trough Tracked

+$444K Valuation Impact

$5M Market Cap

332.3x Rel. Volume

On the day this news was published, NITO gained 9.70%, reflecting a notable positive market reaction. Argus tracked a peak move of +43.1% during that session. Argus tracked a trough of -29.9% from its starting point during tracking. Our momentum scanner triggered 14 alerts that day, indicating notable trading interest and price volatility. This price movement added approximately $444K to the company's valuation, bringing the market cap to $5M at that time. Trading volume was exceptionally heavy at 332.3x the daily average, suggesting very strong buying interest.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Key Figures

Anti-inflammatory drugs market 2024: $122 billion Anti-inflammatory drugs market 2034: $275 billion Anti-inflammatory CAGR: 8.4% +5 more

8 metrics

Anti-inflammatory drugs market 2024 $122 billion Global anti-inflammatory drugs market size in 2024

Anti-inflammatory drugs market 2034 $275 billion Forecast global anti-inflammatory drugs market size by 2034

Anti-inflammatory CAGR 8.4% Projected 2024–2034 CAGR for anti-inflammatory drugs

Small-molecule immunomodulators 2025 $188 billion Projected small-molecule immunomodulators market in 2025

Small-molecule immunomodulators 2035 $350 billion+ Forecast small-molecule immunomodulators market by 2035

Immunomodulators CAGR 6.5% Projected 2025–2035 CAGR for small-molecule immunomodulators

Metabolic disorders 2024 $77 billion Estimated metabolic disorder therapeutics market in 2024

Metabolic disorders 2030 $120 billion+ Forecast metabolic disorder therapeutics market by 2030

Market Reality Check

Price: $1.02 Vol: Volume 46,303 vs 20-day a...

low vol

$1.02 Last Close

Volume Volume 46,303 vs 20-day average 130,679 (relative volume 0.35x) suggests a light participation move. low

Technical Shares at $1.65 are trading below the 200-day MA of $6.47 and remain far under the 52-week high of $53.55.

Peers on Argus

NITO gained 5.1% while peers were mixed: AVD up 9.29%, ENFY and BIOX down, other...

NITO gained 5.1% while peers were mixed: AVD up 9.29%, ENFY and BIOX down, others flat. With no peers in the momentum scanner, today’s move appears stock-specific rather than an agricultural chemicals sector rotation.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Jan 15 (Positive)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Jan 15	Scientific spotlight	Positive	+5.4%	Spaceflight SLC25 research reinforced MitoCareX’s mitochondrial carrier focus.
Jan 05	Solar project terms	Positive	+0.0%	Advanced payment improved economics and projected profit in flagship solar project.
Dec 29	Renewables de-risking	Positive	-19.4%	Reported value unlock and de-risking across German and Italian energy assets.
Nov 18	Pipeline progress	Positive	+0.7%	Identified hit compounds and outlined path to preclinical candidate nomination.
Oct 30	MitoCareX merger	Positive	-0.9%	Closed MitoCareX acquisition and detailed stock-heavy consideration structure.

Pattern Detected

Recent MitoCareX and renewable-energy updates often read positively, but price reactions have been mixed, with several positive-sentiment releases followed by flat or negative moves.

Recent Company History

Over the past few months, N2OFF has transformed via the October 20, 2025 acquisition of MitoCareX, making mitochondrial carrier drug discovery a core focus. Subsequent updates highlighted hit compound identification, spaceflight-related SLC25 research, and the MITOLINE™ platform, alongside progress and de-risking in European solar projects with Solterra. Some value-unlock announcements in late 2025 coincided with a -19.37% move, while more recent MitoCareX-focused news drew modest gains, framing today’s in vitro data as part of a continuing biotech pivot.

Market Pulse Summary

The stock moved +9.7% in the session following this news. A strong positive reaction aligns with N2O...

Analysis

The stock moved +9.7% in the session following this news. A strong positive reaction aligns with N2OFF’s strategy of building value around MitoCareX’s MITOLINE™ platform and mitochondrial carrier targets. The stock previously reacted with gains of 5.42% and 0.72% to MitoCareX-focused updates, suggesting investor attention to this pivot even as shares trade well below the $53.55 52-week high and the $6.47 200-day MA. Light volume and a history of mixed reactions to good news highlight ongoing execution and funding risks.

Key Terms

in vitro, mitochondrial carriers, mitochondrial function, metabolic syndrome, +4 more

8 terms

in vitro medical

"has shown preliminary in vitro data demonstrating inhibition of pro‑inflammatory responses"

In vitro describes laboratory tests performed on cells, tissues, or biological molecules outside a living body—literally “in glass,” such as in test tubes or dishes. For investors, in vitro results are an early sign that a drug or technology has a desired effect under controlled conditions, but they don’t guarantee it will work or be safe in animals or people; think of them as a prototype tested on a bench rather than in real-world use.

mitochondrial carriers medical

"developing small‑molecule drugs that target human mitochondrial carriers"

Mitochondrial carriers are proteins that act like tiny ferry boats or gatekeepers, moving key molecules—such as energy sources, building blocks and waste—across the membrane of mitochondria, the cell’s power plants. They matter to investors because changes or drugs that affect these carriers can underlie diseases, serve as biomarkers, or become targets for therapies and diagnostics, influencing the valuation and risk of biotech and pharma investments.

mitochondrial function medical

"assays designed to capture mitochondrial function, inflammatory signalling, and metabolic readouts"

Mitochondrial function describes how well mitochondria — the cell’s tiny power plants — produce energy and keep cells healthy. Investors watch it because many drugs, diagnostics and safety tests target or rely on healthy mitochondria; changes in mitochondrial function can signal a treatment’s effectiveness, side effects, or a new market opportunity in diseases tied to energy failure. Think of it as a company’s engine performance indicator for biological systems.

metabolic syndrome medical

"across multiple inflammatory metabolic disease indications including diseases related to the metabolic syndrome"

A cluster of common health problems—usually high blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess belly fat, and abnormal blood fats—that often occur together and raise the risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes. Think of it like a car dashboard with several warning lights on at once: because the issues reinforce each other, they lead to bigger long-term healthcare needs and spending. Investors care because it drives demand for drugs, devices, diagnostics, chronic-care services and workplace health programs, shaping market size and regulatory attention.

immunomodulators medical

"small‑molecule immunomodulators alone are projected to expand from around $188 billion"

Drugs or therapies that change how the immune system works, either by boosting, calming, or redirecting its activity; think of them as a thermostat or dimmer switch for immune response. They matter to investors because they are central to treatments for autoimmune diseases, infections and cancer, and regulatory approvals, clinical trial results or manufacturing advances can significantly affect a biotech company’s revenue prospects and stock value.

in vivo medical

"These results support further in vivo validation and lead optimization"

In vivo describes tests or experiments performed inside a living organism, such as an animal or human, to observe how a drug, device or biological process behaves in a real, functioning body. Investors care because in vivo results reveal safety, effectiveness and possible side effects that lab tests cannot, much like road-testing a prototype car in traffic rather than only on a bench — outcomes can strongly influence regulatory approval, clinical success and a company’s valuation.

pre-clinical studies medical

"plans to advance its most promising mitochondrial‑targeted anti‑inflammatory candidates toward pre-clinical studies"

Pre-clinical studies are initial experiments conducted in laboratories or on animals to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a potential new medicine or treatment before it is tested in humans. These studies are important to investors because they help determine whether a product has the potential to progress to later stages of development, which can impact its eventual market success and value.

virtual screening technical

"binding sites for its virtual screening campaigns"

Virtual screening is a computer-driven process that tests large libraries of chemical or biological compounds against a disease target to predict which ones are most likely to work. Like using a search engine to shortlist candidates from millions of options, it speeds discovery, cuts early costs, and helps investors gauge how efficiently a company can find promising drug leads before expensive lab tests and trials.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

MITOLINE^™ Algorithm Powers Development of First-in-Class Small Molecules Targeting a Mitochondrial Carrier for Inflammatory Metabolic Diseases – A Market Projected to Exceed $120 billion by 2030

Neve Yarak, Israel, Jan. 22, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- N2OFF, Inc. (NASDAQ: NITO) (“N2OFF” and the “Company”), a drug discovery company that is also investing in solar energy assets based on the RTB (Ready to Build) business model, today announced that MitoCareX Bio Ltd. (“MitoCareX Bio”), a specialty biotechnology company developing small‑molecule drugs that target human mitochondrial carriers, its wholly- owned subsidiary, has shown preliminary in vitro data demonstrating inhibition of pro‑inflammatory responses in human immune cells using its proprietary discovery platform.

Using MITOLINE^™‑derived models, MitoCareX has assembled a focused library of small‑molecule candidates that is now being evaluated in a suite of proprietary in-vitro assays designed to capture mitochondrial function, inflammatory signalling, and metabolic readouts. The newly reported in vitro data show that selected candidates reduce key inflammatory markers in human immune cells, providing an initial line of evidence that mitochondrial carrier modulation can deliver anti‑inflammatory benefit in human‑relevant systems. These results support further in vivo validation and lead optimization across multiple inflammatory metabolic disease indications including diseases related to the metabolic syndrome.

Inflammatory and inflammatory metabolic diseases represent one of the fastest‑growing therapeutic areas in global pharma, with anti‑inflammatory drugs expected to grow from approximately $122 billion in 2024 to nearly $275 billion by 2034 (CAGR ~8.4%). Within this landscape, small‑molecule immunomodulators alone are projected to expand from around $188 billion in 2025 to more than $350 billion by 2035 (CAGR ~6.5%), underscoring strong and sustained demand for oral, targeted anti‑inflammatory therapies. Metabolic disorder therapeutics, which include key inflammatory metabolic diseases such as diabetes and related syndromes, are estimated around $77 billion in 2024 and forecast to surpass $120 billion by 2030.

MitoCareX’s cutting‑edge MITOLINE^™ algorithm overcomes a critical bottleneck in mitochondrial drug discovery: the lack of solved 3D structures for most human mitochondrial carriers. MITOLINE^™ applies advanced sequence based analyses to enable reliable 3D comparative models of mitochondrial carrier proteins, allowing MitoCareX to characterize substrate translocation binding sites for its virtual screening campaigns. This platform supports rapid identification of novel small‑molecule scaffolds that engage mitochondrial carriers implicated in oncology, autoimmune, and metabolic‑inflammatory diseases.

MitoCareX Bio plans to advance its most promising mitochondrial‑targeted anti‑inflammatory candidates toward pre-clinical studies, while continuing to broaden the MITOLINE^™‑powered discovery engine across additional mitochondrial carrier targets.

About N2OFF Inc:

N2OFF owns 100% of MitoCareX Bio Ltd, a drug discovery company engaged in targeting cancer therapeutics and other diseases through the mitochondrial SLC25 protein family. Additionally, N2OFF adopted an investment strategy focused on European renewable energy assets utilizing a RTB (Ready to Build ) business model. The Company is currently the lead investor in four solar projects across three European Union countries, all introduced by Solterra Renewable Energy Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Solterra Energy Ltd.

N2OFF also controls approximately 98% of Save Foods Ltd., an Israeli company focused on post-harvest treatment technologies designed to reduce pathogen contamination in fruits and vegetables.

For more information, please visit www.n2off.com.

Forward-looking Statements:

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other Federal securities laws. Words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates” and similar expressions or variations of such words are intended to identify forward-looking statements. For example, the Company is using forward-looking statements when it discusses the expected growth of global anti-inflammatory drugs market, the small molecule immunomodulators market and the global metabolic disorder therapeutics market and how MitoCareX Bio plans to advance its most promising mitochondrial‑targeted anti‑inflammatory candidates toward pre-clinical studies, while continuing to broaden the MITOLINE™‑powered discovery engine across additional mitochondrial carrier targets. Because forward-looking statements relate to matters that have not yet occurred, these statements are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause N2OFF’s and its subsidiaries’ actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements include, among other things, our market and other conditions, history of losses and needs for additional capital to fund our operations and our inability to obtain additional capital on acceptable terms, or at all; uncertainties of cash flows and inability to meet working capital needs; the initiation, timing, progress and results of our preclinical studies, clinical trials and other product candidate development efforts; our ability to advance our product candidates into clinical trials or to successfully complete our preclinical studies or clinical trials; our receipt of regulatory approvals for our product candidates, and the timing of other regulatory filings and approvals; the clinical development, commercialization and market acceptance of our product candidates; our ability to establish and maintain strategic partnerships and other corporate collaborations; the implementation of our business model and strategic plans for our business and product candidates; the scope of protection we are able to establish and maintain for intellectual property rights covering our product candidates and our ability to operate our business without infringing the intellectual property rights of others; competitive companies, technologies and our industry; risks related to not satisfying the continued listing requirements of Nasdaq Capital Market; and statements as to the impact of the political and security situation in Israel on our business. More information on these risks, uncertainties and other factors is included from time to time in the “Risk Factors” section of N2OFF’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 31, 2025 and other public reports filed with the SEC. Except as otherwise required by law, we undertake no obligation to publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. References and links to websites have been provided as a convenience, and the information contained on such websites is not incorporated by reference into this press release. We are not responsible for the contents of third-party websites.

Investor Relations Contact:
Michal Efraty
michal@efraty.com

FAQ

What did N2OFF (NITO) announce about MitoCareX Bio on January 22, 2026?

MitoCareX Bio reported preliminary in vitro data showing selected MITOLINE™ small‑molecule candidates reduced pro‑inflammatory markers in human immune cells.

What is MITOLINE™ and how does it support N2OFF (NITO) drug discovery?

MITOLINE™ is a sequence‑based algorithm that builds 3D comparative models of mitochondrial carriers to enable virtual screening for small‑molecule scaffolds.

Which indications is MitoCareX Bio targeting with its mitochondrial carrier modulators?

The company is targeting inflammatory and inflammatory metabolic diseases, including conditions related to the metabolic syndrome and other metabolic disorder therapeutics.

What are the company’s next steps for the MITOLINE™‑identified candidates?

MitoCareX plans to pursue further in vivo validation, lead optimization, and advance its most promising candidates toward pre‑clinical studies.

Does the January 22, 2026 announcement include clinical or regulatory approvals for N2OFF (NITO)?

No; the announcement reports preliminary in vitro results and plans for pre‑clinical advancement, not clinical trial starts or regulatory approvals.

How do the market figures cited relate to N2OFF (NITO)’s opportunity?

The release cites industry projections for anti‑inflammatory and metabolic disorder markets to contextualize demand for oral, targeted therapies; it does not quantify N2OFF’s expected market share.