Cha Biotech, First Administration of Phase 2a Cell Therapy for Degenerative Lumbar Disc Disease

A researcher at Cha Biotech is checking the condition of the cell storage facility. (Photo by Cha Biotech)

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] Cha Biotech announced on the 27th that it has completed the first patient procedure in the Phase 2a clinical trial of 'CordSTEM®-DD,' a cell therapy for degenerative lumbar disc disease using umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells.

In the Phase 2a clinical trial, Cha Biotech plans to verify the efficacy of 'CordSTEM®-DD' in 30 subjects. Neurosurgery professors from major domestic hospitals, including Bundang CHA Hospital, Kyung Hee University Hospital, Korea University Guro Hospital, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, Asan Medical Center, Severance Hospital, and Ajou University Hospital, are participating in this clinical trial.

Cha Biotech plans to proceed with commercialization after completing Phase 2a, Phase 2b for dosage determination, and Phase 3 clinical trials. In addition to product approval, the company will actively pursue overseas expansion through technology export and international clinical trials.

This therapy is expected to have tissue regeneration and anti-inflammatory effects. Without genetically modifying the stem cells, it applies a culturing technology for umbilical cord tissue-derived stem cells that enhances cartilage regeneration ability, thereby improving the drug's efficacy and safety. In particular, by utilizing Cha Biotech's independently developed mass culturing and freezing technologies, the viability period of the cells has been significantly extended. It is also characterized by the ability to thaw the frozen therapy immediately upon prescription and administer it to patients, reducing inconvenience for both patients and medical staff.

The number of patients with degenerative lumbar disc disease in Korea increases by 2% annually. As of 2019, it was estimated at 2.06 million, with about 10% of these patients presumed to be chronic cases not responding to existing conservative treatments such as painkillers.

Cha Biotech stated, "If this therapy is commercialized, it will provide a new treatment option for severe degenerative lumbar disc patients who require surgery due to the failure of painkiller-centered conservative treatments."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.