Ember Therapeutics reports initial results from BMP-7 Phase II trial in patients with moderate osteoarthritis of the knee

Ember Therapeutics, Inc., a privately held, New York-based biopharmaceutical company that is developing targeted therapies for osteoarthritis, kidney fibrosis, and other indications using Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP)-7, announced today initial results from the Phase II(a) trial of local BMP-7 administration in patients with moderate osteoarthritis of the knee. The company said that an initial analysis of 78 of the 320 total patients enrolled in the Phase 2 trial provided evidence that even a single local dose of BMP-7 could prevent cartilage loss and had potential anabolic effects.

Joseph Hernandez, the Company's Executive Chairman, said, "The initial results are very encouraging. We expect to observe a similar trend when analyzing the remainder of the Phase 2 data. Importantly, these clinical results represent a potential major advance for the entire osteoarthritis community. BMP-7 is expected to have a profound impact in the osteoarthritis field, where the only treatment options are pain relievers or knee replacement therapy. This therapy is expected to alter the course of the disease. Something that does not exist today."

The company is currently raising money and seeking partners for a Phase 3 pivotal trial.