Save Our Bones Bulletin: New Compound Could Become Next Osteoporosis Drug; A Robotic Pill That Delivers Injectable Drugs; Hip Fracture Rates Decline, But Total Hip Fractures To Increase

Vivian Goldschmidt, MA Drugs News

Evidence-Based
6 min Read
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This month’s bulletin starts off with a warning. Medical researchers have announced the development of yet another osteoporosis drug. We’ll look at the details and what to expect.

Then we’ll hear about a new development in drug-delivery: a robotic pill. A biotechnology company is touting their robo-pill’s ability to deliver unprecedented levels of a well-known osteoporosis drug. We’ll consider the ramifications.

Finally we’ll dig into a shocking report about the future of hip fractures. Researchers predict that hip fractures may double by 2050, but that scary headline obscures the truth of the matter.

Oral Osteoporosis Drug In Development

Scientists at Florida International University and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have isolated a compound to be turned into a new osteoporosis drug. The molecule increases the activity of a hormone receptor called relaxin family peptide receptor 2 (RXFP2).

Relevant Excerpt:

“The team screened more than 80,000 potential compounds to find ones that bind to RXFP2 and enhance its function, otherwise known as an agonist. To see whether the top four agonists they identified affected bone density, they treated human bone-forming cells with three different doses of each compound. One compound, called 6641, stood out from the rest by dramatically enhancing bone mineralization, a sign of bone strength. It led to 3.5 times more mineralization compared to the control.”1

They also found that the compound was still effective when taken orally, which would differentiate a relaxin-based drug from injectable osteoporosis drugs currently on the market.

The next step will be further testing on mice to determine the effects of different dosages the toxicity of the drug, and to explore which side effects will be revealed. It remains to be seen if this drug has the same dangerous side effects as existing osteoporosis drugs, or whether it will cause different health problems.

Synopsis

Researchers isolated a compound to be turned into a new osteoporosis drug. The compound is a member of the relaxin family, and would be taken orally. Testing to determine side effects and the long term impact of the drug has not yet happened.

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Teriparatide Delivery Via Robotic Pill

A company called Ravi Therapeutics has developed a robotic pill that can increase the oral bioavailability of drugs that usually must be administered via injection. The company performed a study with women in Australia to see whether the specially designed pill could be used to deliver the osteoporosis drug teriparatide orally.

Teriparatide, also known as the drug Forteo produced by Big Pharma company Eli Lily, is currently only administered by daily injection.

Relevant Excerpt:

”In findings from a phase 1 trial, women who received the osteoporosis drug teriparatide (Forteo, Eli Lilly) through the RT-102 robotic pill (Rani Therapeutics) had a threefold to fourfold higher relative bioavailability compared with those receiving subcutaneously injected teriparatide, with no pill-related adverse events recorded.

“[This is] a new way to deliver biologics orally,” Arvinder Dhalla, PhD, vice president of clinical development at Rani Therapeutics, said during a press conference. “Data from our phase 1 study showed that parathyroid hormone can be delivered via robotic pill at a bioavailability similar to or higher than subcutaneous injection. To our knowledge, this is the first study showing oral delivery of PTH [parathyroid hormone] with such high bioavailability.”2

Parathyroid hormone (PTH), which teriparatide imitates, is involved in many bodily functions, including in the regulation of bone development. Artificially increasing PTH levels can have unwanted side effects– such as hyperthyroidism. This study touts the robotic pill’s ability to deliver more teriparatide, but doesn't consider that higher levels could be harmful.

This risk underscores the value of a drug-free approach to improving bone quality and avoiding fracture.

Synopsis

A company called Ravi Therapeutics has developed a robotic pill that can deliver teriparatide (Forteo) at higher levels of bioavailability than injection. This could make it possible for Forteo to be prescribed in pill form, but doesn't consider the potential dangers of dramatically increasing levels of the hormone that teriparatide imitates.

Total Global Hip Fractures To Double By 2050

A study published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research examined the incidence of hip fractures, post-fracture treatment, and deaths from any cause following fractures. They looked at data from 2005 to 2018, and used that information to make projections through 2050.

Relevant Excerpt:

“… the number of hip fractures worldwide is projected to skyrocket by 2050, with males having a larger increase in the projected number of hip fractures by that time. The estimates were based on the trends in incidence rates and World Bank data.

The findings highlight an urgent need for improvements in hip fracture prevention and care, said professor Cyrus Cooper, president of the International Osteoporosis Foundation and a co-author of the study.”3

The prediction that total hip fractures may double by 2050 is a headline-grabbing data point. However, the cause of the increase is the aging of a larger segment of the population.

Researchers found that the incidence rate of hip fracture is actually decreasing. So even though the rate of hip fractures per person is getting lower, the total number will still increase.

No doubt, Big Pharma will use the specter of increased hip fractures to scare more people into using their drugs, even though there is no increased likelihood of fracture.

Synopsis

A study predicted that the total number of hip fractures may double by 2050. However, this headline buries the fact that the rate of hip fracture has declined. The increase in the total number of hip features is because there will be more people growing old. This is important data for the medical industry to use for planning, but does not reflect any increased risk of hip fracture for individuals.

What This Means to You

When you know how to naturally improve your bone health and overall wellness you have nothing to fear, and no reason to turn to ineffective, side-effect-causing drugs.

The Osteoporosis Reversal Program offers a comprehensive path to prevent and reverse bone loss. No new drug that imitates a hormone, or uses a robotic pill to deliver synthetic compounds will be able to compete with the power of harnessing your body’s natural ability to care for itself.

When you learn about what your body needs, and provide the right combination of diet, exercise, and good choices, you can live the long, independent, and healthy life you deserve.

References

1 https://www.drugdiscoverynews.com/one-small-molecule-may-transform-osteoporosis-treatment-15663

2 https://www.healio.com/news/endocrinology/20230618/teriparatide-delivered-by-robotic-pill-provides-higher-bioavailability-than-injection

3 https://www.mcknights.com/news/clinical-news/global-hip-fractures-to-almost-double-by-2050-experts-urge-action/

Rebuild Your Bones Naturally—Without Drugs or Side Effects

Stronger, healthier bones are possible—at any age. The Osteoporosis Reversal Program gives you a step-by-step, science-backed plan to naturally rebuild bone health, improve mobility, and regain confidence—100% risk-free with a 1-year, no-questions-asked guarantee.

Discover the Program