Novel, oral bone-protecting compounds for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

Around 40% of rheumatoid arthritis patients do not respond to existing treatments, and many of the most effective drugs require injections. Modern Biosciences is developing a new class of oral compounds that both reduce inflammation and reverse bone damage—a dual action that current therapies rarely achieve. Rheumatoid arthritis affects 1% of the global population, causing pain, joint destruction, and disability. The most rapidly growing class of drugs, injectable biologics, are inconvenient and expensive. This project aims to advance a candidate compound into clinical trials, testing its safety and effectiveness in patients. If successful, these oral compounds could offer a more convenient alternative to injections, work in combination with existing drugs to extend their useful life, and directly repair bone damage rather than simply slowing its progression. That would change how rheumatoid arthritis is managed day-to-day, shifting treatment from managing symptoms to actively repairing structural damage. The project is applied, not fundamental science—it is driven by a clear clinical need and a specific commercial path to market.