As scientists seek to understand the molecular basis of energy production, aging, and disease, one area remains especially elusive: cellular redox metabolites. Finnish biotech company NADMED is launching the NADMED Award 2026, a global call for innovators in science and medicine, with an initiative providing $30,000 in technology and expert collaboration to help uncover new insights in metabolomics, the field that examines the molecules underpinning cellular health and dysfunction.

NADMED, a Finnish biotechnology company pioneering precision metabolite measurement, has announced the launch of the NADMED Award 2026, a global initiative designed to empower scientific discovery in redox biology and accelerate innovation across medicine, life sciences, and biotechnology.

The award aims to enable scientists and clinicians to deepen understanding of key cellular processes linked to metabolism, aging, and disease; areas where accurate measurement has long been a limiting factor. By providing access to NADMED’s advanced metabolomics platform, the initiative supports discovery and collaboration that could shape the next generation of biomedical innovation.

Founded in 2022, as a spinout from the University of Helsinki, NADMED has developed the most accurate measuring technology on the market, capable of quantifying all four forms of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD), (NAD⁺, NADH, NADP⁺, NADPH) and both reduced and oxidized glutathione (GSH, GSSG) directly from biological samples, including blood. This breakthrough enables fast, accurate, and reproducible analysis, surpassing traditional mass spectrometry and unlocking new insights in both research and clinical diagnostics.

“The goal of the NADMED Award is to lower the barriers for scientists to explore what has until now been largely invisible in biology: the dynamics of redox metabolism,” said Kai Herdin, Chief Marketing Officer at NADMED. “By making our tools available to the research community, we want to accelerate discoveries that could transform how we understand cellular function and disease.”

The NADMED Award 2026 is open to academic institutions, clinical laboratories, pharmaceutical companies, and biotech innovators worldwide. Submissions will be reviewed by a scientific jury of global experts, including Prof. Charles Brenner (City of Hope) and Prof. Rita Horvath, Professor of Neurogenetics and Director of Clinical Neurosciences at the University of Cambridge. Selected projects will receive CE-marked metabolomics kits, consultation, and in-house measurement services valued at up to $30,000.

“Redox metabolites are central to life, yet historically, they’ve been nearly impossible to measure reliably,” said Prof. Charles Brenner, member of the NADMED Award jury. “NADMED’s technology is changing that, and this award is a powerful way to stimulate discovery across multiple fields of biology and medicine.”

The award features three categories: Innovative Ideas, Advanced Research, and Clinical Data Research. The categories are designed to support projects at different stages of development, from early exploration to clinically focused studies. Applications open January 1–31, 2026, with results announced February 28, 2026.

NADMED’s mission is to make redox biology accessible and measurable, supporting the scientific community in translating complex metabolic signals into actionable insights. Through initiatives like the NADMED Award, the company aims to advance the understanding of human health, disease mechanisms, and therapeutic development.

Key dates:
* Application templates available: December 15, 2025
* Application period: January 1–31, 2026
* Decision announcement: February 28, 2026
* Project support period: March 2026 – March 2027