MPC Therapeutics, a spin-out from the University of Geneva, is undoubtedly the most Luxembourg-based biotech company in Switzerland. Its speciality is mitochondria, the tiny structures found in almost all living cells that convert nutrients from our food into ATP, a molecule that serves as an energy carrier. Although mitochondria are essential to the proper functioning of cells, they remain largely unexploited therapeutic targets.
Founded in 2020 by Raphaël Martinou, on the basis of pioneering discoveries made by his father, Professor Jean-Claude Martinou, who is now the company’s scientific director, MPC Therapeutics has succeeded in transforming a major scientific breakthrough into an entrepreneurial venture. In 2012, Jean-Claude Martinou identified the molecular structure of the mitochondrial pyruvate transporter (MPC), paving the way for promising research. The MPC acts as a “gatekeeper” that regulates the entry of pyruvate, a molecule derived from glucose, into the mitochondria, where it is converted into ATP. This discovery has opened up unprecedented prospects in the treatment of certain cancers, metabolic disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. MPC Therapeutics aims to develop innovative therapies to meet critical medical needs.
Raphaël Martinou, a graduate of Imperial College London and Sciences Po Paris, began his career in industry, notably at Air Liquide, where he devoted himself to research and innovation for nearly ten years. In particular, he contributed to research into hydrogen as an energy carrier and to the design of an innovative medical device for hospitals.
The majority of MPC Therapeutics shares are held by Luxembourg residents.
“The startup project was born in 2020 when I seized the opportunity to move to Luxembourg following my wife’s transfer. We now live here with our children. Today, the majority of MPC Therapeutics shares are held by Luxembourg residents,” he adds.
Since its creation, MPC Therapeutics has faced up to the challenge of financing. “Raising sufficient funds to support research and disruptive innovation has been a major challenge. We are also the first Swiss company to be incubated by Johnson&Johnson,” says Raphaël Martinou.
Three main areas of research
With the help of business angels, MPC Therapeutics has developed and patented small chemical molecules capable of inhibiting MPC. It is currently focusing its research on three key areas: immunotherapy, fibrosis and neurodegenerative diseases. In immunotherapy, she has discovered that her molecule can rejuvenate certain types of immune cells, thereby optimising CAR T treatments for certain cancers, such as lymphoma and leukaemia. CAR T therapies involve genetically modifying T lymphocytes so that they specifically recognise and attack cancer cells. In mice, CAR T cells treated with this molecule showed a 100% cure rate in a leukaemia model, compared with 40% for current therapies. “It’s spectacular and very hopeful,” exclaims the startup’s co-founder.
The second area of research concerns fibrosis, a serious condition that causes changes in certain tissues and can impair the proper functioning of organs such as the liver, kidneys and lungs. “In mice, our molecules significantly reduced inflammation and fibrosis, suggesting a therapeutic potential for treating fibrosing diseases,” explains Raphaël Martinou, enthusiastic about the prospects of this research.
Finally, the third key area of research focuses on neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease. “In collaboration with Professor Marlen Knobloch’s laboratory in Lausanne, we have shown that our molecules stimulate the production of new neurons in mice. This opens up interesting prospects for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s. These results, published recently, have already attracted the interest of major pharmaceutical companies,” he adds.
Partnership with LIH and fundraising to come
“Today, our vision is to position MPC Therapeutics as the world's leading company specialising in therapies targeting MPC. We are leveraging our deep expertise in mitochondrial biology to develop transformative therapies that address critical medical needs. Our ultimate goal is to improve patients’ quality of life,” explains Raphaël Martinou.
In Luxembourg, the work of Professor Dirk Brenner of the Luxembourg Institute of Health is closely linked to MPC Therapeutics’ research. The immunologist is working to link metabolic molecular principles to the regulation of inflammatory diseases and cancer.
A collaboration agreement was signed this summer, under which MPC Therapeutics will provide Brenner with its proprietary molecule inhibiting MPC. His team will then be able to study the potential of this molecule on the progression of other diseases such as multiple sclerosis. There are also plans to test the molecule in other disease contexts, such as infections (viral or bacterial) or melanoma.
The biotech ecosystem in Luxembourg lacks the presence of institutional investors in life sciences and the large pharmaceutical companies that attract specialist talent.
“If the initial results, expected by 2025, prove conclusive, MPC Therapeutics could develop a Luxembourg subsidiary to continue its clinical research,” Raphaël Martinou predicts.
In the short term, the start-up expects to generate its first revenues in 2025, thanks to the commercialisation of its molecule via licences for CAR T cancer therapies. At the same time, the company plans to enter the clinical trials phase to test the efficacy of its compounds on patients, while preparing to raise further funds to maintain its technological lead in the face of international competition.
It is also planning to raise new funds in the near future to enable it to “maintain its technological lead in the face of competition from the US and China. We are going to open up our capital to business angels who want to contribute to our adventure, particularly in Luxembourg,” says Raphaël Martinou.
He takes a positive view of the Luxembourg ecosystem. “The biotech sector in Luxembourg is still in a development phase, and is making rapid progress, but it still lacks institutional investors and large pharmaceutical companies, which are essential elements in attracting talent and developing innovation.”
This article was originally published in .