Doron Therapeutics claims a single injection of its drug can deliver improvements in knee pain and function, with long-lasting effects.
Clinical stage biotech Doron Therapeutics has successfully raised $11 million in a Series A funding round to advance its work in degenerative musculoskeletal conditions. The funding is intended to allow the company to commence a Phase 3 clinical trial of its lead program, MOTYS, an intra-articular biologic drug for the treatment of symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (OA).
Doron originated as a spin-off from osteoarthritis therapeutics company Bioventus, which initially developed MOTYS as part of its pipeline. The drug is derived from placental tissue and is designed to deliver a combination of anti-inflammatory, anti-catabolic and pro-anabolic effects, containing growth factors that demonstrate potential in reducing inflammation, protecting tissues and stimulating regeneration.
According to Doron, preclinical studies have shown MOTYS to be effective in vitro and in vivo models as a potential alternative to current therapies like corticosteroids and hyaluronic acid. The company claims that the drug provides long-lasting relief from a single injection, with reported effects lasting 9 to 12 months.
Data from a Phase 2 clinical trial involving 200 participants with symptomatic knee OA was presented at this year’s Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) World Congress, with participants experiencing improvements in knee pain and function over 26 weeks of treatment.
The funding round was led by SPRIM Global Investments (SGI), and Doron also announced new board members, including Karen Zaderej, who previously served as CEO of Axogen, were she led the company’s transformation from a start-up to a public company, advancing a biologically active human tissue graft through BLA submission.
“This is an exciting time for Doron as we progress our lead product into Phase 3 clinical studies,” said Doron CEO Alessandra Pavesio. “The unmet need for non-surgical interventions in osteoarthritis is immense and growing. We believe MOTYS will allow patients to have reduced pain and regain function, allowing them the opportunity to get back to healthy and active lives.”
