Bone-regenerating Drug Set for Clinical Trials

A lead drug for bone healing and repair indications is slated for clinical development, according to Wintherix, LLC, a privately held biotechnology company.

The drug known as WX04554 is a potent small molecule activator of the Wnt pathway. In pre-clinical studies the class of small molecules caused bones to heal and become stonger by forcing stem cells to become bone-forming cells, or osteoblasts.

"The proof-of-concept animal studies showing faster and stronger bone formation lead us to be very excited. We believe it has potential for human therapeutic application in a number of diseases including bone fracture repair, spinal fusions, and possibly as a preventative for osteoporosis patients," stated John Hood, CSO of Wintherix, in a press release.

The drug is expected to be in the clinic by late 2011. Trauma patients with broken bones, osteoporotic hip fracture patients, and arthritis patients may benefit the most from the new treatment.