Darnatein, an OSR Company, Broadens Intellectual Property Protection for Innovative Osteoarthritis Treatment Technology

Rhea-AI Summary

Darnatein, a subsidiary of OSR Holdings (NASDAQ: OSRH), has secured a patent in China for its innovative protein-based osteoarthritis treatment technology. The patent covers their lead drug candidate DRT-101, which utilizes AI-enhanced protein structure generation to create a novel chimeric protein combining BMP7 and Activin proteins.

The technology has shown enhanced therapeutic efficacy and safety in studies conducted at UC San Diego between 2020-2024. This marks Darnatein's first international patent following their South Korean registration, with pending applications in the EU and US through the PCT route.

The global osteoarthritis treatment market, valued at $8.9 billion in 2023, is projected to reach $16.1 billion by 2032, growing at 7% annually. Darnatein aims to initiate Phase 1 clinical trials for DRT-101 later this year, targeting disease modification rather than just symptom management in osteoarthritis treatment.

Positive

• Secured strategic patent in China, world's largest market, expanding IP protection
• Demonstrated enhanced efficacy and safety in preclinical studies (2020-2024)
• Targeting $16.1B market opportunity by 2032
• Novel disease-modifying approach vs. current symptom-only treatments
• Phase 1 clinical trials planned for 2025

Negative

• Product still in preclinical stage, years away from potential commercialization
• Will face significant competition in growing osteoarthritis market
• Success in clinical trials not guaranteed despite preclinical results

SEOUL, South Korea, April 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Darnatein, a wholly-owned subsidiary of OSR Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: OSRH), today announces that it has successfully secured an additional international patent for its protein-based osteoarthritis treatment technology, marking a significant step in its expansion into the global market.

Activin/BMP7 Chimera Protein Technology Registered in China

Darnatein has officially registered a patent with the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) for the core technology behind its break-through disease-modifying osteoarthritis drug (DMOAD) lead drug candidate, DRT-101. Following the national registration of the patent in South Korea in November last year, this marks the company's first successful international patent registration as part of its efforts to secure global intellectual property rights through the PCT (Patent Cooperation Treaty) route in key regions such as the EU, the United States, and China.

The technology basis is an AI-enhanced innovative protein structure generator designed to provide therapeutics that overcome the current limitations of standard of care treatment in osteoarthritis—a condition for which only symptom management options currently exist. This technology represents a wholly new approach to protein design and is expected to address the underlying causes of disease. This treatment approach may significantly improve treatment outcomes not only for osteoarthritis but also for a wide range of other musculoskeletal disorders.

In particular, the DRT-101 chimeric protein, which recombines the natural BMP7 and Activin proteins into a wholly novel structure, has already been shown to enhance both therapeutic efficacy and safety in vivo, in studies conducted between 2020 and 2024 at the University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine.

Senyon Choe, Darnatein Chief Executive Officer, stated, "The protein design technology now also patented in China has been developed over years from a core platform strategy to the current technology with the potential to revolutionize the global OA treatment market. Securing intellectual property rights in China, one of the largest markets in the world, is a crucial stepping-stone for our global expansion."

Constance Höfer, Chief Scientific Officer of OSR Holdings, stated, "Darnatein's groundbreaking technology represents a wholly new, AI-enhanced approach to therapeutic protein design. The successful patent registration in China underscores the novelty and relevance of this technology to the development of better treatment options for OA patients worldwide."

Global Technological Competitiveness and Licensing Potential

The osteoarthritis treatment market continues to grow, due to globally aging populations. In 2023, the market size reached approximately USD 8.9 billion and is projected to grow at an average annual rate of about 7%, reaching approximately USD 16.1 billion by 2032. China is experiencing rapid population aging and a surge in osteoarthritis cases, making it a highly promising market.

Industry experts have remarked, "Darnatein's Activin/BMP7 chimera technology offers a superior profile to be developed into a potential DMOAD, or disease-modifying OA drug, compared to existing standard of care for osteoarthritis treatments," adding, "Big Pharma is looking for novel treatments that can slow, stop, or even reverse the cartilage degeneration and joint damage that occurs with OA. On this backdrop, Darnatein's chimeric protein approach represents a paradigm shift away from only symptom relief (e.g. painkillers and anti-inflammatories) to treatment options targeting the underlying pathobiology of OA"

Darnatein is currently completing preclinical studies with DRT-101, its degenerative OA treatment candidate, with the goal to initiate Phase 1 clinical trials later this year.

About Darnatein

Founded in 2012, Darnatein is a biotherapeutics company based in South Korea developing a pipeline of innovative treatments for osteoarthritis and bone fusion, including DRT-101 as a ground breaking disease-modifying OA drug (DMOAD) candidate. Darnatein was established by Dr. Senyon Choe, one of the co-founders of the structural protein laboratory of the prestigious Salk Institute for Biological Studies in La Jolla, CA, and a faculty member of UC San Diego since 1993. Darnatein operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of OSR Holdings, Inc. following its acquisition in 2023. 

About OSR Holdings, Inc.

OSR Holdings, Inc. is a global healthcare company dedicated to advancing biomedical innovation. Through its subsidiaries, OSR is engaged in oncology immunotherapies, degenerative disease biologics, and medical device distribution. OSR's vision is to acquire and operate a portfolio of innovative healthcare companies, improving patient care through cutting-edge research and development. For more information, visit www.OSR-Holdings.com.

Contact

ir@osr-holdings.com

 

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SOURCE OSR Holdings Inc.

FAQ

What is the market potential for OSRH's osteoarthritis treatment technology?

The osteoarthritis treatment market was $8.9B in 2023 and is expected to reach $16.1B by 2032, growing at 7% annually.

When will OSRH's DRT-101 begin clinical trials?

Darnatein plans to initiate Phase 1 clinical trials for DRT-101 later in 2025 after completing preclinical studies.

What makes OSRH's DRT-101 different from existing osteoarthritis treatments?

DRT-101 uses AI-enhanced protein design to target disease modification, unlike current treatments that only manage symptoms.

Which patents has OSRH secured for its osteoarthritis treatment technology?

OSRH has secured patents in China and South Korea, with pending applications in the EU and US through PCT.

What are the clinical results of OSRH's DRT-101 so far?

Studies at UC San Diego (2020-2024) showed enhanced therapeutic efficacy and safety in vivo for the BMP7/Activin chimeric protein.