Japanese Pharmaceutical Startup Aims to Bring Tooth Regrowth Drug to Market by 2030

Toregem Biopharma, a pharmaceutical startup in Japan founded in 2021 by Dr. Katsu Takahashi, is developing a groundbreaking tooth regrowth drug, potentially eliminating the need for dentures and implants. The team is targeting a market release around 2030, marking a pioneering effort in tooth regrowth.

Tooth Regrowth Drug To Undergo Clinical Trials in 2024

Toregem Biopharma, in collaboration with Kyoto University, is on the verge of a groundbreaking achievement: a drug that could usher in a new era in dental care by stimulating the growth of new teeth.

The company is preparing to embark on clinical trials in July 2024 to assess the drug's safety, following a remarkable milestone in 2018 when they successfully grew new teeth in laboratory mice.

While most people possess dormant "tooth buds" capable of developing into new teeth, these buds typically remain inactive and eventually disappear. The innovative team at Toregem Biopharma has developed an antibody drug designed to counteract the protein responsible for suppressing tooth growth, effectively awakening these dormant buds and kickstarting their development.

This groundbreaking approach not only holds the promise of regenerating teeth in individuals with tooth loss but also addressing developmental issues associated with missing teeth in children.

Further underscoring the potential of this drug, the Japanese pharmaceutical company also plans to conduct clinical trials beginning in 2025, focusing on children aged 2 to 6 who suffer from anodontia, a condition characterized by the absence of some or all permanent teeth.

In these trials, a single dose of the drug will be administered to initiate the growth of new teeth in affected children, potentially transforming their lives and dental health.

Beyond the realm of pediatrics, the company envisions a future where this innovative drug could be employed to help adults who have lost teeth due to cavities, offering a novel solution to address the widespread issue of tooth loss and its associated challenges.

Dr. Takahashi, a leading figure in dentistry and oral surgery at Kitano Hospital in Osaka, expressed optimism regarding the drug's potential to not only revolutionize tooth regeneration but also tackle broader dental and developmental problems.

As the world eagerly awaits further developments, the path to a future with healthier, naturally regenerated teeth may be within reach, thanks to the pioneering efforts of Toregem Biopharma and its groundbreaking drug.

How Do Teeth Grow?

Tooth development is influenced by maternal nutrition during pregnancy, with essential nutrients like calcium, phosphorus, vitamin C, and vitamin D playing a pivotal role. The use of certain medications, such as tetracycline, during pregnancy should be avoided to prevent potential tooth discoloration in the developing fetus. The process of tooth development unfolds in four distinct stages.

Initially, tooth formation begins around the 6th week of fetal development, laying the foundation for the tooth's structure. Following this, the hard tissues surrounding the teeth start to develop, typically occurring between 3 to 4 months of gestation.

After birth, the teeth undergo the next stage as they emerge through the gum. Lastly, primary "baby" teeth are naturally shed, making way for the eruption of permanent teeth.

Children typically start losing their primary teeth, beginning with the central incisors, at around age 6. The process continues until about age 12 when the last baby tooth, often the cuspid or second molar, is shed, making way for a total of 32 permanent teeth.