Research Collaboration Agreement with National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS)
- May 23, 2025
- 2 min read
Updated: 7 days ago
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
KITKOJI Expands Research Collaboration to Advance Cancer Therapeutics Discovery through Mycobiota Fermentation Singapore, [23/5/2025]
KITKOJI, a Singapore-based avantgarde fermented skincare company specialising in fermentation technology on skin microbiome, today announced the expansion of their research collaboration with the National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS) following successful initial results. The research, conducted through the Cancer Discovery Hub at NCCS, aims to explore the untapped potential of fungal secondary metabolites in oncology through a proprietary extract known as Extract K. This effort marks a first-of-its-kind research collaboration leveraging the cancer mycobiome to uncover novel bioactive compounds to develop innovative cancer treatments derived from fungal metabolites.
Promising Results Laboratory tests have shown promising results in its first phase using Extract K tested across 25 cancer cell lines, encompassing breast, lung, gastrointestinal, urological, skin, and hematologic cancers.
Key highlights from the study include:
• 100% cell death observed in selected hematologic and solid tumor lines at physiologically-safe concentrations.
• Significant in vivo efficacy demonstrated through xenograft models treated with Extract K.
• Completion of an untargeted metabolomics pilot, identifying potential active compounds responsible for anti-cancer effects. “These findings not only validate the anti-proliferative potential of Extract K but also highlight the immense opportunity within fungal metabolites as a new class of cancer therapeutics,” said Ken Koh, CEO of KITKOJI Pte Ltd.
"This collaboration exemplifies Singapore's growing capabilities in biomedical innovation, combining KITKOJI's expertise in fungal fermentation with NCCS's world-class cancer research facilities and expertise."
Extended Partnership: Lead Compound Discovery and Mechanistic Validation Building on these promising results, KITKOJI and NCCS have entered a project expansion phase to identify and validate lead compounds within Extract K.
The extension includes:
• Screening of 10 candidate compounds across lymphoma and other cancer cell lines.
• Dose-response testing in more than 20 cancer models.
• Mechanism-of-action studies, including bulk RNA sequencing and functional assays.
• In vivo testing of high-potency candidates in animal models.
We aim to establish proof of concept for lead asset development, potentially paving the way for investigator-initiated clinical trials.
Joint Commitment and Funding The project, jointly funded by KITKOJI and NCCS, is scheduled to run for 12 months. If successful, it could lead to clinical trials, marking a significant advancement in Singapore's biomedical sector and contributing to global cancer treatment options.
“We are pleased to extend our partnership with KITKOJI and hope to bring innovative new therapies to patients with cancer,” said Asst Prof Jason Chan, Director at the Cancer Discovery Hub. “This extended collaboration reflects our shared vision to translate scientific discovery into tangible clinical outcomes.”
You can learn more about NCCS and their work here: https://www.nccs.com.sg/
Visit www.RemissionBiotech.com for more information
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