MPC Therapeutics, a Geneva, Switzerland-based biotechnology company focused on metabolism and rejuvenation, raised CHF 1.5M in Seed funding.
The round was led by Plutus Investment Group, with participation from business angels.
The company intends to use the funds to advance its proprietary small molecule towards clinical trials and open new therapeutic applications.
Led by Raphaël Martinou, CEO, MPC Therapeutics spun-off from University of Geneva (UNIGE) 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, the company was able to screen, optimize and patent small molecule compounds which specifically inhibit the Mitochondrial Pyruvate Carrier (MPC).
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.
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 position its proprietary molecules as novel treatments for alopecia.
FinSMEs
11/01/2023