On September 21, 2022 MEDIFIC, a biotech that develops new drugs targeting cancer stem cells (CSC), reported the company is conducting non-clinical development of ‘MFC0101’, a SREBP1 signaling inhibitor being developed as an anti-cancer drug, as a ‘non-clinical stage’ task by the National Drug Development Foundation (KDDF) (Press release, MEDIFIC, SEP 21, 2022, View Source;mode=VIEW&num=21&category=&findType=&findWord=&sort1=&sort2=&page=2 [SID1234644156]).

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As a result of this project selection, Medipick will receive non-clinical research funding of 1.5 billion won over two years out of the development cost of MFC0101, an anticancer drug for glioblastoma.
Currently, GLP (Good Laboratory Practice) toxicity evaluation of MFC0101 is underway with the goal of starting clinical trials in the second half of 2023.

MFC0101 is a new drug candidate that inhibits SREBP1 (Sterol regulatory element binging protein), which is essential for the survival of cancer stem cells.
SREBP is a transcription factor protein that promotes lipid synthesis, and cancer stem cells, which are responsible for the growth and metastasis of cancer cells and anticancer drug resistance, are known to be highly dependent on the regulation of lipid metabolism by SREBP1.

Specifically, MFC0101 is a monovalent degrader mechanism that inhibits SREBP1-dependent lipid metabolism control signals by inducing SREBP1 decomposition by inhibiting the interaction between SREBP1 and SCAP (SREBP cleavage-activating protein) that binds to it. explained.

Medipick is developing glioblastoma (GBM) as its main target indication, and research is underway to expand the indication to solid cancers such as liver cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, and colon cancer.
There is a standard treatment for glioblastoma using a combination of radiation therapy and the chemotherapy drug temozolomide (TMZ), but the average survival period is only 12 to 15 months.
In most cases, it recurs within 3 to 6 months, and there is no suitable treatment thereafter, making it a disease with a very high unmet medical need.

MFC0101 exhibits anti-cancer effects by selectively decomposing SREBP1 to remove cancer stem cells and cancer cells. In particular, when administered in combination with temozolomide, it shows synergy in anti-cancer effects and is safe.

Seungjun Yoo, CEO of Medipick, said, "It is known that cancer stem cells are important for cancer malignancy, metastasis, and recurrence, but there are still no success stories in the development of anticancer drugs targeting cancer stem cells." He added, "With this national project selection, we will begin non-clinical testing of MFC0101. "We will successfully complete it and develop it into a global innovative new drug," he said.

Medipick was founded in 2018 by Kim Hyeong-gi, a professor at Korea University’s College of Life Sciences and an expert in cancer stem cell biology, and received 6 billion won in Series A investment from Daekyo Investment and DSC the following year.
This year, CEO Seung-Jun Yoo, who previously served as Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) of Geninus/TP Global, Director of the Korea Bio-Economy Research Center, and Director of KISTEP, joined, and previously held positions such as CEO of DD Partners, CEO of Future Medicine, and Director of Biotox Tech Research Institute. Dr. Lee Sang-gu is the chief development officer (CDO).