Korea University and MFC Partner to Develop Muscle Loss Therapeutics for Space Missions
Key Insights
The Center for Myokine Convergence Research (search) at Korea University College of Medicine (search) has signed a memorandum of understanding with MFC (search) to jointly develop therapeutics for muscle loss in astronauts.
The collaboration expands on their 2022 partnership for sarcopenia (search) therapeutics and will focus on astronaut-associated sarcopenia, rare muscle disorders including cachexia (search) and Duchenne muscular dystrophy (search).
The partnership aims to advance therapeutic development for long-duration deep space missions, including Mars exploration, using myokine research platforms.
The Center for Myokine Convergence Research (search) at Korea University College of Medicine (search) has signed a memorandum of understanding with MFC (search) to jointly develop therapeutics for muscle loss in astronauts, marking a significant expansion of their existing partnership into space medicine applications.
Expanding Partnership into Space Medicine
This agreement represents a follow-up collaboration based on the 2022 contract between the two institutions for "technical cooperation in rare and intractable muscle atrophy (search) diseases and technology transfer for sarcopenia (search) therapeutics." Building on accumulated research and development data, the two organizations plan to expand their research scope into the space environment and accelerate the development of next-generation therapeutics for muscle disorders.
Under this agreement, both parties will collaborate in three key areas: the research and development of therapeutics for astronaut-associated sarcopenia (search); the development of treatments for a broad range of muscle disorders, including rare conditions such as sarcopenia, cachexia (search), and Duchenne muscular dystrophy (search); and joint efforts in pharmaceutical research, development, and commercialization.
Strategic Vision for Deep Space Missions
"Through our strategic collaboration with MFC (search), we look forward to advancing the development of therapeutics to preserve muscle health in astronauts—an essential requirement for long-duration deep space missions, including exploration of Mars," said Professor Hyeon Soo Kim, Director of the Myokine Research Center. "By leveraging our integrated, clinically translatable myokine research platform, we are committed to delivering innovative therapeutic solutions for patients affected by sarcopenia (search) and a wide range of muscle disorders."
Sung-Kwan Hwang, CEO of MFC (search), commented, "This research collaboration represents a significant step forward in the development of next-generation therapeutics for the rapidly evolving space era. We believe this partnership will serve as a key catalyst in reinforcing our mid- to long-term growth drivers and further strengthening our research and development capabilities."
Myokine Research Platform
The Center for Myokine Convergence Research (search) at Korea University College of Medicine (search), established in October 2023, is leading integrated research on myokines (search)—novel hormone-like signaling molecules secreted by skeletal muscle. The center is committed to developing clinically translatable regulatory technologies targeting not only muscle disorders but also cancer, aging, and neurodegenerative diseases.