The world’s first human trial of a tooth-regrowing drug will begin in September following the success of the drug in animals. This trial, conducted at Kyoto University Hospital, aims to test the efficacy of the drug in regenerating teeth in 30 male participants. The drug has shown promising results in previous animal models with no significant side effects. Researchers hope to not only treat tooth loss or absence but also congenital tooth deficiency and partial edentulism. The drug works by deactivating a protein called USAG-1 and triggering bone morphogenetic protein signaling to stimulate new bone and tooth growth. If successful, this therapy could be available to patients with permanently missing teeth in the next six years.
| Signal | Change | 10y horizon | Driving force |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tooth-regrowing drug trial | Regeneration of lost teeth | Commercial availability of the drug | Addressing tooth loss and expectations |
| Expansion to different patient groups | Treat more types of tooth loss | Treatment for various tooth loss cases | Increasing accessibility of treatment |
| Deactivation of USAG-1 protein | Stimulating tooth growth | Enhanced methods for tooth regeneration | Advances in molecular biology and dentistry |
| Potential high cost of treatment | Affordability of the treatment | Medicare coverage of dental work | Economic factors and healthcare policies |
| Desire for accelerated trials | Accelerated development process | Faster availability of the treatment | Social demand for effective dental solutions |
| Interest in regrowing other body parts | Advancement in regenerative medicine | Potential for regrowth of cochlea | Expanding possibilities of regenerative medicine |
| Increasing demand for tooth regrowth | Higher demand for the treatment | Growing interest in tooth regeneration | Personal desire for restoring natural teeth |