Results support treatment of osteoarthritis with UBX0101 for eliminating senescent cell Unity Biotechnology, a biotech company involved in the development of therapeutics that can extend health span of patients, recently announced that the Phase 1, first-in-human study of UBX0101 in patients suffering with moderate to severe osteoarthritis showed positive results. Apparently, the study showed that UBX0101 is well-tolerated and safe. Several clinical measures including function and pain improved, and modulation of senescence-related secretory phenotype factors and biomarkers related to disease was observed after a giving a single dose of UBX0101. UNITY’s chairman and chief executive officer, Keith Leonard said that UBX0101’s Phase 1 study is a significant step to explore the potential of senolytic approach in order to treat a range of age-related diseases. The company trusts its approach to ending senescent cells has potential to impact healthspan significantly. Richard F. Loeser Jr. MD, Director at UNC Thurston Arthritis Research Center Herman and Louise Smith Distinguished Professor of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Allergy & Immunology, informed that OA desperately needs new treatments and an intervention is specially required to target biology of the condition which includes cell senescence. These data support the promising new approach for the chronic painful condition, Loeser added. Reportedly, the design for UBX0101’s Phase 1 trial is double-blind, randomized with placebo-controlled study to evaluate tolerability, safety and pharmacokinetics of a singular intra-articular injection of UBX0101 in patients who are diagnosed with mild to severe painful OA of the knee. UBX0101 is a p53/MDM2 interaction inhibitor which targets specific senescent cells elimination. Part A had 48 patients who were randomly assigned to receive one out of the six dose levels of UBX0101, that is from 0.1 mg to 4 mg of dose or a placebo in 3:1 randomization. Part B had 30 patients randomized to receive a dose of 4mg of UBX0101 or a placebo in 2:1 randomization, sources familiar with the matter confirmed. Source Credit- http://ir.unitybiotechnology.com/news-releases/news-release-details/unity-biotechnology-reports-promising-topline-data-phase-1-first