ReleviumBio - Life changing Innovation
ReleviumBio is developing a platform peptide gel-based therapy for Osteoarthritis
Problem
There has been no disruptive treatment for knee osteoarthritis (KOA) in over 50 years, with 80% of patients reliant on damaging medications. The shortcomings of the current injectable treatments leave 2 million US patients reliant on opioids for adequate pain relief. The number one KOA patient complaint is pain, with regenerative therapies to date failing to demonstrate a measurable patient outcome.
Solution
Up to recently, it was believed KOA was a disease of wear and tear. The latest scientific evidence however shows it to be a complex whole-organ disease, affecting multiple tissues and with different disease patterns for different patients. This evidence highlights the need for a multimodal approach to effectively treat this complex disease. PeptiFlex is the first multimodal injectable therapeutic developed for KOA that gives not only pain relief but also lubricates and preserves the joint.
How it works
Our novel multimodal therapeutic is based on a peptide component (315y) covalently bound to a polymer gel base. This patent-protected biotherapeutic achieves its effects through three complementary and synergistic effects. The biotherapeutic is injected directly into the knee joint to give immediate long-acting relief.
Pain Relief Effect: PeptiFlex reduces pain nerve signalling by the action of peptide 315y which safely and consistently reduces pain signalling by a sodium channel block effect on neurons in the knee nerve fibres. Preclinical test data out to 7 weeks in a dedicated KOA model has shown successful translation of efficacy and safety with statistically significant effects on key pain endpoints.
Lubrication Effect: The polymer base of PeptiFlex has unique viscoelastic properties acting as a substitute for healthy joint fluid and providing lubrication, cushioning, shock absorption, and improving the physical function of the joint.
Protection Effect: PeptiFlex has proven to be extremely safe and protects joint structure by cartilage protecting actions of peptide 315y. The peptide interacts with cartilage-producing cells (chondrocytes) to cause proliferation and increased cartilage production. Tests have shown KOA joints treated with PeptiFlex were evaluated using the gold standard OARSI cartilage scoring system and showed improvement in terms of aggression and extent of disease compared to control.
The ask
If you know any strategics interested in osteoarthritis or clinical trial groups interested in partnering with early-stage companies, we would really appreciate an introduction