Toregem Biopharma, a biopharmaceutical start-up funded by Kyoko University, is developing a drug that could help people with congenital or acquired tooth loss.
The pathway to developing the drug started in 2007 when their team of scientists discovered that a deficiency in the USAG-1 gene led to the development of additional teeth in mice. The team hypothesised that inactivating the USAG-1 protein with a drug may regenerate teeth in humans with congenital and/or acquired tooth defects.
After testing their hypothesis using mouse anti-USAG-1 antibodies, they went on to develop humanised anti-USAG-1 antibodies, which successfully stimulated regrowth of teeth in mice and dogs. As reported in The Japan Times, the drug was administered to ferrets, with similarly successful results.
The drug is now entering human clinical trials, this year in healthy adults to assess safety, and the following year in children between 2 and 6 years old who are born without some or all permanent teeth. If these trials are successful, the drug may undergo regulatory approval for use in dentistry surgeries worldwide.
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