New Project Targets Disease-Modifying Osteoarthritis Drug
A new research project aims to develop a potential treatment for adults with osteoarthritis by 2028.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Arthritis
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A new consortium led by Exogenus Therapeutics has launched a five-year project to develop a secretome-based drug for osteoarthritis. The project aims to provide a disease-modifying treatment for the 8% of the global population currently living with the condition.
Why it matters
Currently, there are no approved disease-modifying treatments for osteoarthritis, leaving patients without options to alter the progression of the disease. This new project seeks to overcome significant regulatory and manufacturing hurdles to bring a potential therapy to clinical testing.
The project is backed by €13 million in Horizon Europe funding and involves a ten-organization consortium focused on the candidate drug EXO-101. While this early-stage development program targets clinical validation, the efficacy of the secretome-based approach in humans is yet to be proven.
The players
Exogenus Therapeutics
A biotechnology company specializing in the development of secretome-based medicinal products.
Horizon Europe
The European Union's primary funding program for research and innovation.
The details
The drug EXO-101 is derived from umbilical cord blood cells and utilizes a secretome-based approach, which relies on the complex mix of signaling molecules naturally released by cells to influence tissue repair. The consortium plans to establish standardized analytical methods and manufacturing protocols to overcome existing quality-control and regulatory barriers in secretome therapeutics. By focusing on these foundations, researchers aim to create a scalable pathway for a treatment that can modify the underlying disease process of osteoarthritis.
Timeline
October 29, 2026: ExoCordOA project officially launched.
Early 2028: Expected start of clinical phase 1b studies.
Five-year period: Total duration of the project.
Health Landscape
Osteoarthritis is currently managed primarily through symptom relief rather than disease modification. This project represents a significant shift toward developing regenerative medicine approaches supported by the Horizon Europe framework to address chronic degenerative joint conditions.
There are currently no disease-modifying drugs available for osteoarthritis, meaning this project is in very early development and not yet a treatment option. If you are managing osteoarthritis, continue to focus on evidence-based physical therapy and symptom management in consultation with your doctor.
The takeaway
While secretome-based therapy for joint disease is a promising area of research, it remains in the early stages of development. Patients should continue to work with their physicians to manage symptoms until disease-modifying treatments have successfully completed clinical testing.
Further reading
For more information on the current state of care, explore our Arthritis section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Manila times.
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Should public funding be prioritized to develop disease-modifying therapies for chronic conditions like osteoarthritis?
