More importantly, when sarcopenia is coupled with other diseases associated with aging, its affects can be even more pronounced. Loss of muscle mass and strength is a significant risk factor for disability in the aging population. When patients suffer from both sarcopenia and osteoporosis, the risk of falling and subsequent fracture incidence is higher. Therefore, treating sarcopenia will in turn help to lessen its burden on co-existing diseases.

Our approach — energy metabolism of aging muscle. Skeletal muscle aging is driven by a decline in mitochondrial biogenesis and cellular energy metabolism. Mitos Therapeutics has identified MSC1, a key regulatory protein of cellular energy metabolism, as a druggable node that controls muscle aging. Based on this mechanism we are developing small-molecule modulators and targeted protein degradation (TPD) therapeutics that restore muscle mass and function.

Pipeline. MTPD-101 is our lead candidate for sarcopenia: a targeted protein degrader that removes the protein driving muscle aging. MTPD-101 was selected for the Korea Drug Development Fund (KDDF) national new-drug program and is in preclinical development. In parallel, we develop functional food ingredients for muscle health; a human clinical study has been completed and individual health-claim approval is in progress with a domestic partner.