April 22, 2025

Episode #546: From Patents to Practice-Leonhardt's Innovations in Healthspan and Regenerative Wellness

32 minutes

On this episode, host Pete Moore dives into the cutting-edge world of regenerative medicine and longevity with guests Howard Leonhardt, founder of Leonhardt Ventures and Lionheart Health, and Scott Hoots, an expert in health and wellness franchising. Leonhardt is an innovative medical entrepreneur whose journey started in 1982 with the founding of Leonhardt Ventures, the parent of Lionheart Health and Lionheart Longevity and Wellness.

Over the decades, Leonhardt has pioneered groundbreaking medical inventions—most notably in combining stem cells with bioelectronic stimulation to assist in regenerating parts of the heart muscle. Since launching this research in 1988, Leonhardt has raised and invested more than $150 million, driving clinical trials in collaboration with over 50 leading research centers worldwide, including the Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic. To date, over 600,000 patients have been treated using technologies developed by Leonhardt, whose inventions have generated more than $1.7 billion in annual revenues for their acquirers.

With regards to turning back the clock on aging, Howard states, "Lionheart Health technologies basically, in short, helps in regenerating your body twenty years, and that includes skin, hair, sexual health, and joint health. That is our goal for our clinics. That is our goal for our products, and we have 500 patent claims protecting that very unique technology."

Key themes discussed

Longevity and regenerative health technologies to help reverse aging.
Lionheart Health’s patented EMS suits and stimulators.
Business models: Licensing, franchising, and commercialization strategies.
Clinical results and patented protein expression stimulation.
Integration opportunities for med spas and fitness operators.
Investment options in Lionheart Health and related ventures.
Challenges of competing with traditional pharma solutions.

A few key takeaways:

1. Lionheart Health's Unique Regenerative Technology: Howard Leonhardt’s team has developed technology that combines stem cells and bioelectric stimulation to aid in regenerate tissue and reverse aging signs. Their EMS suits and stimulators are patented to specifically induce the production of proteins—like klotho and follistatin—that are associated with longevity and age reversal.

2. Clinical Results and Diverse Applications: Lionheart Health’s approaches are already well-tested: Over 600,000 patients have been treated with related technologies, and the team has run FDA trials and partnerships with top institutions (Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, etc.) Applications extend beyond muscle and joint health to skin, hair, and sexual health—essentially offering full-body rejuvenation.

3. Business Model-Licensing and Franchising: The team is rolling out Lionheart Health through both licensing and franchising. Existing med spas, EMS studios, or wellness clinics can license these suits and stimulators, differentiating their business and adding high-value longevity services. Franchise opportunities will open up more broadly in 2025, with flexible models to suit different markets.

4. Revenue Potential and Clinic Setup: Licensing starts at $40,000 for a dedicated suite, with ongoing royalties. The professional EMS suits for clinics range in cost; most studios operate on a membership basis, with clients attending regular sessions (e.g., twice weekly for 4-12 weeks.) The company has plans for significant expansion, targeting over 100 licensed/franchised locations in the coming years.

5. Vision-Competing with Traditional Solutions: Lionheart is directly challenging “big pharma” and traditional approaches (like pill-based ED solutions), offering regenerative, non-pharmaceutical interventions. They’re participating in major longevity challenges (such as the $101 million XPRIZE for healthspan), aiming to drastically improve muscle, brain, and immune health—potentially reversing aging by 20 years for participants.

Resources: