Korea Races US for First Arthritis-Slowing Drug

Millions of people with knee arthritis have spent decades treating symptoms without stopping the disease itself, but that could soon change as Korean biotech companies chase a medical first.

US company Biosplice Therapeutics just applied for FDA approval of lorecivivint, the world's first drug designed to slow osteoarthritis progression rather than just ease pain. The market for osteoarthritis treatments is expected to nearly double from $5 billion today to $10.9 billion by 2033, and whoever succeeds first could transform how we treat this painful condition.

Korean companies Kolon TissueGene, MEDIPOST, and Bio Solution aren't far behind. All three are running advanced clinical trials in the United States with treatments that aim to repair damaged cartilage and restore function, not just reduce symptoms.

Kolon TissueGene has completed patient dosing in its US Phase 3 trial for TG-C, a cell and gene therapy injected into the knee joint. The company plans to announce results this July after two years of patient follow-up. Their treatment combines cartilage cells with genetically modified cells that help rebuild damaged tissue.

MEDIPOST submitted its FDA application last month for Cartistem, a stem cell therapy derived from umbilical cord blood. The FDA confirmed the company might skip Phase 2 trials entirely, potentially cutting years off the development timeline. Results from a Japanese Phase 3 trial are expected in the coming months.

Why This Inspires

This race matters because current arthritis treatments only mask symptoms. Patients take pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs that provide temporary relief but do nothing to slow joint deterioration. Many eventually need surgery.

The Korean companies are using their domestic success as launching pads for US approval. They've already treated patients at home and gathered real-world evidence showing their approaches work. Now they're proving it meets FDA standards.

What makes these attempts particularly promising is that Korean researchers are measuring both pain relief and actual structural improvements in knee joints. Previous attempts failed because they couldn't show clear benefit in both areas, but newer imaging technology and longer follow-up periods are revealing changes that matter to patients.

The global osteoarthritis treatment market serves hundreds of millions of patients whose only options today are managing discomfort until joints deteriorate enough to require replacement. A drug that genuinely slows disease progression would give people years of mobility and independence they would otherwise lose.

With multiple companies approaching the finish line from different scientific angles, patients may finally get what they've been waiting for: real treatment, not just symptom management.