On February 9, some parts of the world observed International Dentist Day. It’s hard to find someone who hasn’t experienced all the joys of visiting this specialist. However, beyond the familiar issues of cavities and gingivitis, many people suffer from a condition known as congenital anodontia – a pathology caused by the improper formation of tooth buds, leading to the absence of teeth.
Tooth loss is not just a cosmetic issue; it can also lead to facial deformities, impaired chewing and digestion, and even changes in posture. We bet you would be surprised to hear that in the not-so-distant future, people suffering from this condition might be able to grow new teeth right in their mouths.
At the end of last year, news spread worldwide about an innovative drug developed by Japanese scientists, which, when used systemically, can activate tooth growth. Researchers tested whether antibodies targeting the USAG-1 protein—known to influence normal tooth development—could be used to treat congenital anodontia in mice (Anti–USAG-1 therapy for tooth regeneration through enhanced BMP signaling - PMC (nih.gov)).
Human teeth, except for permanent molars, are diphyodont, meaning the first set of teeth is eventually replaced by a second. In some cases, the primary (baby) and secondary (permanent) teeth are accompanied by a "third row of teeth" consisting of rudimentary teeth that can emerge in addition to the permanent set. Scientists have demonstrated that their antibody-based approach could be promising for the targeted stimulation of a third row of teeth in people with anodontia.
We all know that developing a new medical drug is a long and complex process. Researchers spend years on studies, trials, and obtaining the necessary approvals. That’s why patent protection plays a crucial role in this field. A patented innovation allows the manufacturer to later recover the costs of production.
Japanese dental researchers understand this well, and the universities they work for have already filed international patent applications, published under the numbers WO2021010346, WO2021167056, and WO2023148894. These applications cover the antibody that specifically binds to and neutralizes USAG-1, a tooth-regeneration composition containing this antibody, and specific amino acid sequences that make up the antibody. A patent (CN114364694) has already been granted in China for the first application, and the researchers have also obtained patent JP7572668 in Japan.
Developers of new medical treatments must be forward-thinking and capable of assessing the potential of their inventions at the earliest stages. A patent can cover a new compound, a composition containing the compound, as well as the methods for obtaining them. In Belarus, direct patenting of methods for treating or diagnosing human diseases is not allowed. However, such a method can be indirectly protected by obtaining a patent for its "application." Moreover, treatment methods can be patented in Belarus through the Eurasian patent system.
The researchers mentioned above also explored the potential for using a surface-applied drug based on small interfering RNA (Stealth RNAi siRNA) to inhibit USAG-1 gene expression and treat anodontia. This approach also showed great promise (Local application of Usag-1 siRNA can promote tooth regeneration in Runx2-deficient mice - PMC). Incidentally, STEALTH RNAI is not just the name of the technology used by scientists but also a registered trademark (No. 3794974) of Life Technologies Corporation in the United States.
Contact us at Lexpatent LLC and our experienced patent attorneys will answer all your questions and will be happy to help you prepare and file a patent application for your invention.
Who knows, maybe your invention will pave the way to the dentistry of the future.
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