Gene and RNA-Based Therapies for Osteoarthritis
Harnessing targeted delivery to regenerate cartilage, reduce inflammation, and slow or reverse the progression of osteoarthritis
What is Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis, caused by the breakdown of cartilage — the cushioning material between bones. As cartilage wears away, bones rub together, leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility.
- Prevalence
- Over 500 million people worldwide are affected, with incidence rising due to ageing populations and obesity
- Common sites
- Knees, hips, hands, and spine.
- Risk factors
- Age, joint injury, genetic predisposition, obesity, and repetitive joint stress.
- Impact
- OA is a leading cause of disability and reduced quality of life.
How OA Affects Patients
- Joint pain that worsens with activity and improves with rest.
- Stiffness, especially after inactivity.
- Loss of flexibility and reduced range of motion.
- Joint swelling due to inflammation.
- Grinding or cracking sensation during movement.
Impact:
OA limits mobility, reduces independence, and often leads to comorbidities such as depression due to chronic pain.
Existing Therapies and Their Limitations
Current treatments focus on symptom management but cannot reverse cartilage loss or address OA's underlying molecular drivers.
Pain management
NSAIDs, corticosteroid injections — relieve symptoms but do not halt disease progression.
Physical therapy
Maintains mobility but cannot restore cartilage.
Surgical options
Joint replacement for severe cases — effective but invasive and with finite lifespan.
Limitations:
No current therapy can reverse cartilage loss or address OA’s underlying molecular drivers.
Regenerating Cartilage and Restoring Function
Dawn Therapeutics is developing gene and RNA-based therapies delivered directly to affected joints to address the root causes of OA.
Stimulate Cartilage Regeneration
activating chondrocyte production and extracellular matrix repair.
Reduce Inflammation
Targeting inflammatory cytokines in the joint environment
Strengthen Joint Structure
Improving function and delaying or preventing surgery
Pioneering Joint-Targeted Gene Therapy
Our research demonstrates promising results in cartilage regeneration and improved mobility.
Preclinical studies
Demonstrating increased cartilage thickness and improved mobility in OA models
Delivery Optimization
Optimizing intra-articular delivery systems for precise targeting and long-term expression
Clinical Partnerships
Collaborating with orthopaedic research institutes to prepare for early-phase clinical trials
Partnerships Beyond the Laboratory
We collaborate with orthopaedic specialists, physiotherapists, and patient advocacy groups to advance OA research and ensure equitable access to future therapies.
- Share advances in OA research.
- Provide education on early diagnosis and management.
- Ensure equitable access to future therapies.
Collaborating to End Joint Degeneration
We welcome partnerships with orthopaedic research centres, hospitals, and biotech innovators to accelerate regenerative OA therapies.
