German biotech company invents protein that could replace dangerous Cox-II inhibitors

• After the failure of cox II inhibitors such as Vioxx (rofecoxib), osteoarthritis patients and their doctors are faced with a lack of alternative therapies.
• In the race to find a solution, biologicals have emerged as a candidate to supplant pharmaceutical blockbusters such as Vioxx.
• "The therapy involves administering knee-injections of IL-1Ra protein, obtained from the patient's blood.
• The basic idea for the development of this therapy was the fact that interleukin-1 (IL-1) plays a key role in the pathology of osteoarthritis or intervertebral disc degeneration/prolaps.
• The biological antagonist, interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra), intervenes in the physiological mechanism of these diseases.
• "The problem with conventional osteoarthritis-therapies such as painkillers, steroids and hyaluronic acid is that they act on the symptoms but leave the underlying causes of the disease untouched," said Orthogen CEO Peter Wehling.
• "In contrast Orthokine acts on the causal mechanism of arthritis and prevents further cartilage degeneration in the joints.
• The therapies for these disorders are most expensive after circulatory and digestive diseases with a high market potential.
• According to official government statistics, orthopaedic disorders cost ¬25 billion annually in Germany alone and approximately one-third of this amount is accounted by osteoarthritis.
• For many years now, musculoskeletal disorders have been the number one cause of work disability and the consequent economic loss in Germany.
• Orthogen believes that it may well earn revenues in the two-digit millions in the coming years, considering the fact that Merck was earning $2.5 billion annually worldwide from its Vioxx painkiller.
• Vioxx (rofecoxib), used by millions worldwide to treat arthritis was withdrawn from the market last September after comprehensive clinical data confirmed long-established concerns that the treatment increased the risk of heart attacks and strokes.