Almost a decade ago, I first covered research from RIKEN (Japan) in relation to hair regeneration and tooth regeneration. Both of these projects were being led by the same person: the renowned Dr. Takashi Tsuji, who I have since covered numerous times. In 2023, I also covered Dr. Katsu Takahashi (the other scientist mentioned in this post) and his tooth regeneration company Toregem Biopharma.
World’s First Tooth Regrowth Medicine in 2030
Earlier this month, it was announced that the world’s first tooth regrowth medicine will be tested in humans in Japan in September 2024. The clinical trials will begin in September at Kyoto University Hospital, and will last for a year. The research is led by Dr. Katsu Takahashi, head of the dentistry and oral surgery at Kitano Hospital. Most importantly:
“The researchers hope to commence sale of the medicine in 2030.”
The initial safety focused clinical trial will involve 30 males between the ages of 30 and 64 who are missing at least one tooth. However, do note that this particular teeth regrowth technology is meant for children who lack a full set of adult teeth due to congenital factors. i.e., a condition known as anodontia. In the next stage of the trials, the medication will only be administered to those between the ages of 2 to 7 who have at least four teeth missing from birth.
Anodontia is a congenital condition that causes the growth of fewer than a full set of teeth. It afflicts just 1% of the population Interestingly, 1% of the population also exhibits the converse of anodontia: hyperdontia. The latter is a congenital condition that causes a higher than normal number of teeth.
Dr. Takahashi and his team’s drug based teeth growth treatment entails blocking the function of the uterine sensitization associated gene-1 (USAG-1) encoded protein. This protein limits the growth of teeth in some individuals. They published a paper in 2020 that was titled: “Development of tooth regenerative medicine strategies by controlling the number of teeth using targeted molecular therapy.” More information from Kyoto University here.
They also published findings in mice in 2008 that connected USAG-1 and its bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) antagonist action, Wnt signaling modulation, and the subsequent creation of supernumerary teeth.
With this same technology, it is hoped that humans will be able to regrow teeth for a third time in their lifetime (as opposed to just twice, the current norm). Many animals such as sharks and certain reptiles continuously regrow teeth over their lifetimes. Dr. Takahashi believes that the ability to grow a third set of teeth was lost over time in humans, but we still have the “buds” for a third set. His team has already successfully managed to grow additional teeth in ferrets. Key quote:
“We are hoping to see a time when tooth-regrowth medicine is a third choice alongside dentures and implants.”
OrganTech: Next Generation Tooth Implants
In 2023, Dr. Tsuji and his team’s research and development activities were officially subsumed into a new company called OrganTech. This came after a past failed attempt via Organ Technologies (established in 2008) due to fundraising issues. OrganTech’s main focus is hair and teeth regeneration. In the Summer of 2024, OrganTech plans to begin clinical trials in relation to its next generation teeth implants.
According to the company:
“We were the first in the world to succeed in the functional regeneration of teeth with complete regeneration of biological functions (regenerating periodontal fiber, enabling orthodontic treatment, and restoring perception), by harvesting epithelial and mesenchymal stem cells from the tooth primordium of a mouse’s teeth which is in the fetal stage, creating a regenerated tooth germ using the organ germ method (Nature Methods, 2007), and transplanting them into areas where the teeth have been lost (PNAS, 2009).”
On OrganTech’s website, they mention that the company’s new next-generation tooth implants will recover the periodontium surrounding the implant. This will make it possible to recover all the physiological functions of native teeth.