By Jehoshaphat Kanyoro Njaro
In a significant leap forward in dental medicine, the world’s first tooth-regrowing drug is scheduled to enter human trials this September.
This groundbreaking development by Toregem Biopharma, a Japanese pharmaceutical company, follows successful animal trials and marks a crucial step toward revolutionizing dental care.
The drug works by inhibiting a gene known as USAG-1, which normally prevents tooth buds from developing into baby or permanent teeth. By blocking this gene, the drug stimulates the growth of new teeth.
Animal trials, including tests on ferrets with tooth structures similar to humans, have shown promising results without observed side effects.
The initial human trial will involve 30 male participants aged between 30 and 64, each missing at least one molar.
If successful, the drug could provide a less invasive and more cost-effective alternative to dental implants and dentures. The potential commercial availability of the drug is projected for as early as 2030, pending the outcomes of these trials.
This innovative treatment not only aims to address common dental issues but also holds promise for treating congenital conditions like anodontia, where individuals are born without several teeth.
The upcoming trials will set the stage for subsequent phases, including tests on younger patients with congenital dental anomalies.
