Pioneering cell-state and ferroptosis biology and cutting-edge drug discovery

Our Science

Kojin is harnessing groundbreaking discoveries in cell-state and ferroptosis biology to develop first-in-class treatments for use in patients with various forms of cancer, as well as cardiovascular, immunologic, hepatic, and degenerative diseases.
Our drug-discovery platform integrates computational chemistry, structural biology, chemical biology, target-informed screening, and mechanism-driven pharmacology to develop small-molecule therapeutics that specifically modulate ferroptosis.
person looking upwards wearing goggles

Ferroptosis

Ferroptosis is a newly discovered form of programmed cell death that is biochemically and genetically differentiated from apoptosis, necrosis, and autophagy, and is characterized by intracellular localization of iron and reactive oxygen species.

This leads to iron-dependent accumulation of oxidatively damaged phospholipids within the cell membrane – a process that has been likened to a "grease fire" in the cell membrane and provides a novel mechanism of action to kill cancer cells that are resistant or refractory to existing therapies.

Ferroptosis has been implicated in many disease states, and ferroptosis-modulating medicines can be either inducers or inhibitors of regulated cell death, creating multiple opportunities to intervene in human ferroptosis pathways.

Inspired by our science, Kojin is named after the Japanese deity that tamed fire for the good of humanity.

Our Pipeline

We are pursuing several validated ferroptosis targets for a spectrum of oncology indications, including our lead program focused on glutamate-cysteine-ligase (GCL).
Having demonstrated preclinical proof of concept, we are developing multiple chemotypes to inhibit the GCL enzyme. Initial applications focus on solid tumors with high ferroptosis sensitivity. Guided by Kojin’s novel ferroptosis platform, we are pursuing additional disease pathologies in which ferroptosis plays a critical role.

Programs aimed at inhibiting other targets in the ferroptosis pathway are in various stages of drug discovery. Over the next several years, we expect to develop ferroptosis modulators – both as inducers and inhibitors – in multiple diseases.

Investors

Join Our Team

We are a team of passionate scientists developing breakthrough medicines that modulate ferroptosis. If you are interested in joining our team, please view our open positions.

Drugging the ferroptosis-sensitive cell state
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