Japanese scientists develop first of its kind drug that stimulates tooth growth in humans

By Alma Fabiani

Published Oct 5, 2023 at 08:45 AM

Reading time: 1 minute

49986

Japanese pharmaceutical company Toregem Biopharma has developed a first-of-its-kind antibody drug that stops proteins in the mouth responsible for suppressing tooth growth. In the future, the treatment could be used to regrow human teeth, offering an alternative to the invasive procedures of implants or dentures. A world without veneers? Yes, please.

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves just yet. The company is planning to kick off human clinical trials in July 2024 and, depending on the results, eventually bring the drug to market by 2030, Japan Times reported.

“[Our] final goal is to offer advanced and scientifically driven clinical solution for the growth of teeth derived from their own tissues,” Toregem Biopharma’s president Honoka Kiso wrote on the company’s website.

The drug works by inhibiting a gene called USAG-1, which is responsible for stopping “tooth buds,” which most people have, from ever developing into either baby or permanent teeth. By inhibiting that gene, Toregem’s new drug will stimulate the growth of these buds.

So far, animal research that’s been conducted has been promising. In 2018, the team of researchers tested the drug on ferrets, which have similar tooth buds to humans, and found that new teeth grew successfully.

In 2025, the team plans to hold a clinical trial for the drug for children aged between 2 and 6 years old diagnosed with anodontia, which is the medical term for complete absence of teeth. People with anodontia don’t have natural teeth because they never developed them. The children will be injected with one dose to induce teeth growth.

If successful, there are also hopes to utilise the drug in the future for adults who have lost teeth due to cavities. “Missing teeth in a child can affect the development of their jaw bone,” said Katsu Takahashi, co-founder of Toregem Biopharma and head of dentistry and oral surgery at Kitano Hospital in Osaka, speaking to Japanese newspaper The Mainichi.

“The idea of growing new teeth is every dentist’s dream. I’ve been working on this since I was a graduate student,” he continued, concluding: “We hope the drug will serve as a key to solving those problems.”

Keep On Reading

By Jack Ramage

Scientist warns a bad solar storm could spark an ‘internet apocalypse’

By Malavika Pradeep

Scientists are toilet-training cows to combat climate change

By Malavika Pradeep

Scientists discover new ‘super-Earth’ planet where you could live to the age of 3,158

By Charlie Sawyer

Under The Influence podcast tried to publicly diss Drew Afualo and instantly regretted it

By Emma O'Regan-Reidy

The cozy gaming trend is empowering women to dominate space in a male-centred industry

By Fatou Ferraro Mboup

Hollywood actor reveals Andrew Tate inspired his psychological thriller Speak No Evil character

By Abby Amoakuh

Instagram influencer slammed for promoting dangerous DIY face mask for smoother skin

By Fatou Ferraro Mboup

Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2024 has haters and fans alike losing their mind, here’s why

By Abby Amoakuh

Rethinking feminist cinema: the pros, the cons, and the serious abundance of white narratives

By Abby Amoakuh

Why Gen Z are cancelling Call Her Daddy following Amy Schumer’s controversial appearance

By Charlie Sawyer

Who is Tash Peterson, the controversial vegan activist who just lost a $200,000 defamation case?

By Abby Amoakuh

Trying to manifest your dream partner for 2025? Influencer-backed app To Be Magnetic says it can help

By Fatou Ferraro Mboup

Is the Ask for Angela scheme a fraud? New shocking investigation exposes dangerous failings

By Abby Amoakuh

Inside the alarming rise of teen radicalisation online: From chatrooms to the Vienna Taylor Swift concert terror suspect

By Charlie Sawyer

How a viral Etsy review sparked a feminist movement on TikTok by inspiring women to embrace the bush

By Fatou Ferraro Mboup

From teen mum to Gen Z favourite, Angela Rayner is the icon politics needs

By Charlie Sawyer

Unpacking the Chappell Roan drama, from toxic fandoms to political missteps

By Abby Amoakuh

Rift between Black and Palestinian progressives deepens ahead of Democratic National Convention

By J'Nae Phillips

Corpcore and boardroom baddies: How Gen Z are reinventing office style

By Charlie Sawyer

Unhinged podcast’s viral TikTok exposes how sexist phrases reflect men’s failures