CHF 1.5M for MPC Therapeutics Expanding Pipeline

MPC Therapeutics was founded in 2018 to develop molecules able to modulate mitochondrial function and trigger cellular re- programming to fight cancer and degenerative diseases. Based on the pioneering work of Prof. Jean-Claude Martinou from University of Geneva (UNIGE), the company was able to screen, optimize and patent small molecule compounds which specifically inhibit the Mitochondrial Pyruvate Carrier (MPC).

Improving cell immunotherapies against cancer

The MPC Tx’s lead program aims to improve the performance and durability of CAR-T cell therapy. Preparation of CAR-T cells in the presence of the MPC Therapeutics’ compound have been shown in different preclinical cancer models to dramatically improve survival compared to standard CAR-T cells.

Raphaël Martinou, CEO and co-founder of MPC Therapeutics said: “CAR-T cell therapies give hope to patients that failed to respond to earlier cancer treatments, yet too often these patients still relapse one year after CAR-T cell therapy. Reprogramming T-cells by modulating their metabolism could really transform sub-optimal treatments into highly performing life-saving ones.”
Towards a 2024 clinical trial and diversification in alopecia

Funding to support MPC pipeline developement

The seed investment funding will enable MPC Tx to advance its T-cell therapy adjuvant programme into the clinic by 2024. In addition, as modulating mitochondrial function has been shown to promote stem cell proliferation, the team plans to generate proof of concept data to position its proprietary molecules as novel clinical approaches for alopecia. The funding round was led by Plutus Investment Group, a London-based family office, and received additional funding from business angels.

Mohammed Jamal, CEO and founder of Plutus Investment Group, said “We are very happy to have invested in MPC Therapeutics, this enables us to expand our reach into across life sciences. MPC Therapeutics have world-class expertise in mitochondrial biology and immunotherapy, they can quickly become a leading biotech in the rapidly-growing cell therapies and rejuvenation markets.”

(Press release)