Arthritis Treatment: Our Science
Sunac Therapeutics is developing a single-dose intra-articular treatment designed to revert cell senescence and restore normal cellular function.
Dr. Robert Bowles, our scientific founder, demonstrated that damaged human arthritic cells suffering from cell senescence could be restored to a healthy state using gene therapy. The mechanism of action appears to involve remodeling the chromatin in these cells back to a state where they can divide, perform their function, and stop producing inflammatory cytokines, potentially enhancing the effectiveness of intra-articular treatment options.
How it works
Our gene therapy restores the function of a single gene, addressing issues related to cell senescence. This leads to an epigenetic chromatin cellular change that allows the cells to regain normal function, reduce the production of inflammatory signals, and promote tissue repair. As a result of this intra-articular treatment, the cells begin to divide again, rebuilding the disk using a person's own healthy, normal cells.
How it is unique
Addresses the root cause of arthritis, not merely the pain, by targeting cell senescence through a restorative, epigenetic approach. This single, safe intra-articular treatment is administered in the clinic and has been validated in both human tissues and animal models, showcasing the potential of gene therapy in combating arthritis.