Proof of concept for peptide-based treatment against osteoarthritis

There remains a huge patient need in osteoarthritis (OA), as it has become one of the largest, and still growing, chronic diseases worldwide. Millions and millions of patients suffer from OA-related pain and immobility each and every day. Currently, there is no approved disease-modifying drug that is able to delay or cure OA.

In 2016 MUMC+ researchers have discovered a peptide fragment with promising properties to be able to modify OA. Thereafter, MUMC+ and her, for this invention founded, spin-off company Chondropeptix, completed the first steps of development and the initial validation of this potential new OA disease-modifying molecule candidate. Firstly, the peptide showed local efficacy and safety in a rodent model. Secondly, the formulation needed to extent local intra-articular efficacy showed to be protective to the peptide’s integrity. Thirdly, the formulation showed long-lasting delivery in vitro. Fourthly, the formulation carrier material showed safety in a sheep model. All of these findings are most-promising elements, though no data was generated with the formulated peptide product, as yet.

Based on this promising invention and encouraging principle data, MUMC+ and Chondropeptix now aim to take the next step of fundamental development towards getting ready for preclinical and clinical evaluation. They drafted this focused project to evaluate the fundamentals of the formulated peptide product in a rodent and a large animal model, a true PoC of the full concept.

With the current project application, MUMC+ and Chondropeptix can take this project to the next step towards a potential new Disease-Modifying Osteoarthritis Drug candidate.