New Collaboration Targets Muscle Loss Treatments for Space Missions
- The Korea University College of Medicine’s Center for Myokine Convergence Research has entered into a strategic alliance with MFC, a biotechnology company, to develop therapeutic solutions for muscle...
- The partnership was formalized through a memorandum of understanding signed on April 10, 2026.
- The research is led by Professor Hyeon Soo Kim, the director of the Korea University center.
The Korea University College of Medicine’s Center for Myokine Convergence Research has entered into a strategic alliance with MFC, a biotechnology company, to develop therapeutic solutions for muscle loss. This collaboration focuses on combating the skeletal muscle deterioration experienced by astronauts during prolonged space missions, where microgravity causes significant loss of muscle mass, and function.
The partnership was formalized through a memorandum of understanding signed on April 10, 2026. This agreement serves as an expansion of a foundational collaboration established in 2022, which originally focused on technical cooperation regarding sarcopenia—the age-related loss of muscle mass—and other rare or intractable muscle atrophy diseases.
Leveraging Myokine Research for Spaceflight
The research is led by Professor Hyeon Soo Kim, the director of the Korea University center. The initiative centers on the study of myokines, which are bioactive molecules secreted by muscle tissue. These molecules are responsible for orchestrating critical regenerative and metabolic pathways within the body.
By combining the academic expertise in myokines from Korea University with the pharmaceutical development capabilities of MFC, the two organizations aim to create next-generation myotherapeutics. These treatments are specifically designed to address the unique physiological challenges posed by deep space expeditions, where the absence of gravity leads to rapid muscle atrophy.
The Impact of Microgravity on Musculoskeletal Health
Muscle atrophy is a primary obstacle for long-term space exploration. In a microgravity environment, the body is unloaded, meaning the muscles that normally work against gravity to support body weight are no longer required to do so. This lack of force causes muscles to waste away and weaken rapidly.
While astronauts currently utilize rigorous exercise programs to apply force to their musculoskeletal systems and maintain strength, researchers are seeking more advanced medical interventions to preserve muscle function. The deterioration of skeletal muscle mass not only jeopardizes the health of the astronauts but can also impact the overall outcome of space missions.
Broader Applications for Terrestrial Medicine
The research conducted for spaceflight has direct implications for treating muscle-wasting diseases on Earth. The mechanisms of atrophy observed in space often mirror those found in serious terrestrial conditions. The Korea University and MFC alliance intends to translate their laboratory research into clinical innovations that can treat a broad array of muscle-related diseases.
Other concurrent efforts in the field highlight the importance of these models. For example, the Rodent Research-3 study, sponsored by the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) and Eli Lilly and Company, utilizes mice exposed to long-duration spaceflight to assess a novel compound’s ability to prevent skeletal muscle wasting.
This includes modeling serious diseases that involve muscle wasting such as muscular dystrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, cancer cachexia and even aging-related musculoskeletal frailty
Rosamund Smith, research fellow at Eli Lilly and Company
other research initiatives have utilized the International Space Station (ISS) National Lab to study muscle wasting using tissue chip projects, with some flights occurring as recently as July 2022.
Future Goals of the Alliance
The strategic alliance between Korea University and MFC is designed to bridge the gap between basic science and pharmaceutical application. Their objective is to move from the identification of bioactive myokines to the development of viable clinical therapies.
- Integration of myokine research with pharmaceutical development.
- Development of therapies specifically tailored for the challenges of microgravity.
- Application of space-based research to treat terrestrial muscle atrophy and sarcopenia.
- Translation of laboratory findings into clinical innovations for a wide range of muscle-related diseases.