In Japan, biopharmaceutical company Toregem Biopharma, funded by Kyoto University, is developing a drug that could help people with tooth loss.

The path to this discovery began in 2007, when a team of scientists discovered that a lack of the USAG-1 gene in mice led to the development of extra teeth. This led the researchers to hypothesize that blocking the USAG-1 protein with a drug could activate tooth regeneration even in people who were born with or had problems with tooth development.

First, the team tested antibodies against USAG-1 in mice and then developed humanized anti-USAG-1 antibodies, which showed success in stimulating tooth growth in mice and dogs.

According to reports from The Japan Times, the drug has also been tested in weasels, with similar positive results.

Currently, the drug is entering the phase of clinical trials in humans.

In the first phase, this year, it is being tested in healthy adults to assess its safety. In the next phase, it is expected to be tested in children from 2 to 6 years old who were born without some or all permanent teeth.

If these trials are successful, the drug may be approved and used in the future in dentistry around the world.

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Source: prizrenpost