New York City's most talented academic entrepreneurs showcased their work to venture capitalists, angel investors, and biopharma business development executives at the Alexandria Center for Life Science. Embree Lab and Wnt Scientific presented during an exciting day of rapid-fire business pitches, roundtable discussions, distinguished keynote speakers and networking with biomedical and scientific innovators from New York City's world class academic research centers.

Dr. Chirag Raval (Wnt Scientific), Dr. Millie Embree (Columbia University), and Dr. Mo Chen (CEO Wnt Scientific).

WNT SCIENTIFIC

Wnt Scientific is a pre-clinical stage biotechnology company that aims to therapeutically harness endogenous fibrocartilage stem cells to regenerate the temporomandibular joint. Our approach offers the promise of a minimally invasive, local regenerative treatment for TMJ osteoarthritis that alleviates pain and restores function.

UNMET NEED

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the most frequently used joint in human body. It is a complex joint system critical for dental occlusion, mastication, and speech. The TMJ is comprised of a network of muscles, ligaments, and a fibrocartilaginous disc and condyle. TMJ osteoarthritis (OA) is debilitating and compromise quality of life. The symptoms of TMJ OA are pain and low grade inflammation, restricted jaw movements, jaw growth defects, and facial asymmetry. TMJ diseases afflict over 10 million Americans at an annual cost of ~$4 billion. Current treatments for TMJ OA are typically two-fold extremes, involving either pain management or invasive surgeries, including total joint replacements with high failure rates.

TECHNOLOGY

Exploiting the regenerative capabilities of resident stem cells to repair TMJ tissues represents a minimally invasive stem cell-based treatment for TMJ OA. We have identified TMJ fibrocartilage stem cells (FCSCs) that reside in the TMJ condyle superficial zone. Dr. Mildred Embree, Director of TMJ Biology laboratory at Columbia University and Dr. Mo Chen, founder of Wnt Scientific LLC, have defined the signals regulating FCSCs’ fate and co-developed StemGEL, a breakthrough, minimally invasive TMJ OA regenerative therapy that will alleviate pain, reduce inflammation and restore joint function.

StemGEL formula combines stem cell signaling modulator, SOST, which induces local stem cells to regenerate cartilage and reduces inflammation, and a hydrogel carrier that sustained-releases SOST. StemGEL is pre-packed in a syringe and shipped to hospitals and dental offices. StemGEL-TMJ offers the following advantages over other treatments: 1) Administered chairside during routine dental visits with no down time; 2) Delivered locally to reduce inflammation and stimulate natural regenerative process; 3) Alleviates joint pain and restores jaw function, so patients can comfortably eat and speak.

DEVELOPMENT STATUS

Sponsored by the non-dilutive grants, we have identified the therapeutic target and developed sustained release local injection formulation. Our preclinical data demonstrated that the SOST injection induces stem cells to regenerate cartilage and ameliorates TMJ OA. The company anticipates to complete the ADME studies and file IND in 2 years.

TEAM

Mo Chen, PhD, MBA , founder and CEO of Wnt Scientific, has 20 years’ experience in musculoskeletal research. His research in osteoarthritis was featured by ABC news and Washington Post and described as the “scientist who discovered how osteoarthritis destroys cartilage.” Dr. Chen is a co-inventor of StemGEL.

Mildred Embree, MS, DMD, PhD, is the Dr. Edwin S Robinson Assistant Professor of Dental Medicine in orthodontics and is director of the TMJ Biology and Regenerative Medicine Laboratory at Columbia University. Dr. Embree is an orthodontist and cell biologist with over 15 years of experience in the field of osteoarthritis and TMJ. She is a co-inventor of StemGEL and a co-Founder and Scientific Advisory Board Chair of Wnt Scientific.

Edward Puzas, PhD, former president of Orthopaedic Research Society, is scientific advisor of Wnt Scientific.

Janet Lee, PhD, president of Subito Scientific and former director of Roche, is regulatory advisor of the company. She brings a decade of drug discovery and early clinical development expertise.

Contact Info

Wnt Scientific LLC

423 West 127thStreet

New York, NY, 10027

Mo Chen PhD, MBA

Chief Executive Officer

mo.chen@wntscientific.com