M2N Innovative Drug Candidate 'GRN-300' Cell and Animal Model Study Results Published in International Journal

'GRN-300' Paper.

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] M2N announced on the 30th that the research paper on the SIK2/3 inhibitor 'GRN-300,' developed in collaboration with the US biotech company GreenFire Bio (GFB), was published in the recent issue of the international journal Journal of Clinical Investigation.

GRN-300 is an orally administered, first-in-class innovative small molecule drug under development as a SIK2/3 inhibitor. SIK2/3 has been reported through various studies to be overexpressed in ovarian cancer and plays a significant role in several other cancer types.

This study involved Dr. Zhen Lu and Dr. Robert Bast from the MD Anderson Cancer Center in the US and investigated the efficacy of GRN-300 in cell and animal models targeting ovarian cancer and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). The results provided evidence that GRN-300 is effective in cases where there is no response or resistance to the PARP inhibitor Olaparib (brand name Lynparza).

According to the paper, GRN-300 enhances Olaparib’s inhibitory effect on PARP enzyme activity, increasing responsiveness in ovarian and breast cancer cell models. The transcription of DNA repair and apoptosis-related genes is regulated by GRN-300 (SIK2 inhibitor). Furthermore, GRN-300 enhances Olaparib-induced DNA double-strand breaks (DSB) and apoptosis. The combination treatment of GRN-300 and Olaparib demonstrated a synergistic effect in suppressing tumor growth in animal models of ovarian cancer and triple-negative breast cancer.

An M2N representative explained, "The incidence of acquired resistance to standard therapies including PARP inhibition is too high in patients with ovarian and triple-negative breast cancer, so more effective treatments to overcome this are urgently needed. The preclinical data on GRN-300 presented this time demonstrate its potential and unique mechanism of action to the extent that it could change the paradigm of combination therapy."

Alongside the development of GRN-300, M2N actively supports pipeline expansion by acquiring the domestic biotech company Sillajen last year, securing a specialized business area from existing finance and manufacturing industries to the bio industry.